This SCD Turkey Chili comes together pretty fast, and is proof that eating SCD or Paleo doesn’t mean you never get to eat chili.
This works as a fast recipe if you allow a few cheats. I use store bought prepared goods for the navy beans, mild green enchilada sauce, and broth. These are normally a big fat no when strictly following SCD. If you need this to be SCD legal and have the time, it can still work – soak and prepare navy beans per SCD guidelines; make your own scratch SCD legal enchilada sauce.
Back to the short cut: I used Whole Foods 365 Organic Canned Navy Beans, which contain only navy beans and water – no gums, no seaweeds. I drain and rinse these thoroughly. Next I used Siete Family Foods Mild Green Enchilada sauce. It has no added sugars, only dates as a sweetener, and this is SCD legal. But it does have vinegar in it, as well as small amounts of flax and chia seeds. This may work for those advanced and stable on SCD, or on Paleo diets. Lastly, I use Pacific brand Organic Chicken Bone Broth if I don’t have my own homemade on hand. Store bought broths are famous for having added sugars, starches, mystery “flavorings” and other sketchy ingredients that can make trouble for people needing SCD foods, but this brand fills the bill.
SCD Friendly Turkey Chili
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Modest on the heat, this is a delicious soothing chili that will feel good in just about any tummy. Dial up spice if you like by adding diced jalapeños to the saute.
Modest on the heat, this is a delicious soothing chili that will feel good in just about any tummy. Dial up spice if you like by adding diced jalapeños to the saute.
In a large pot, heat olive oil to medium. Add minced garlic, peppers, celery, and scallions. Sauté until soft.
Add coriander, paprika, and cumin. Stir to evenly distribute.
Next add the ground turkey. Use a wood or metal spatula to chop it into smaller pieces as it cooks, so it doesn't clump together. Add salt. Cook until turkey is no longer pink.
Add enchilada sauce, mix evenly into the pot and heat through. Then add navy beans, and broth. Continue cooking on a low bubbling simmer until chili is evenly cooked through.
Just before serving, squeeze each lime section over the chili to let the juice drip in. Squish out all the juice you can from each piece, then drop the piece of lime into the chili. Stir to spread lime juice in the chili, and heat for a few more minutes to let the lime add flavor settle in.
Lovingly known as “train wreck” in my house, this one skillet curry can have heat or be more mild, depending on your kids’ palates. I’ve written it here as moderately hot. The ground beef makes it more savory and nutritious, but it is also delicious if the meat is omitted, making for a nice vegetarian option.
Spicy Chick Pea Curry
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A warming and delicious red curry that is delicious over rice, gluten free rotini or penne, or hearty enough on its own. Adjust the heat by adding more spice, hotter curry powder, or hot pepper if that's your thing.
A warming and delicious red curry that is delicious over rice, gluten free rotini or penne, or hearty enough on its own. Adjust the heat by adding more spice, hotter curry powder, or hot pepper if that's your thing.
Heat olive oil to medium in a large skillet. Iron works well for this recipe and will boost iron in the food.
Add minced garlic and chopped onion, heating gently until clear. Do not brown or burn. Then add chopped pepper and continue to saute over medium heat.
Blend the dry spices in a small dish or bowl, except for salt and pepper. Add to skillet. Stir to coat onions, garlic, and peppers thoroughly. Simmer covered for 2 minutes, stir occasionally.
Next add the ground beef. Stir to blend well with the vegetables and herbs. Cook on medium heat til beef is browned.
Add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, curry paste, salt, and pepper. Stir to blend well. Cover and let simmer x 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat to low. Add drained chick peas and stir to warm and blend. Adjust spices as you like. Cover and simmer another five minutes.
Ladle over (gluten free) penne pasta, rotini, spirals, zucchini zoodles, or with GF focaccia bread (such as Chebe brand focaccia mix). Sprinkle on chopped cilantro for garnish if desired.
A twist on usual dahl recipes that rely on a tomato base. For kids who need grain-free, easily digestible carbohydrates (which help them gain weight), this can work well, as long as the lentils are cooked long enough to be very soft, about 2 hours. This recipe uses garlic salt instead of raw garlic, which seemed too pungent with the pumpkin. For meat eaters, this dish is good with chicken apple sausage like Applegate brand (GF, CF, organic). For vegetarians, if grains work, a black rice paired here is hearty and delicious. Makes 6 generous servings or 8 smaller ones.
A twist on usual dahl recipes that rely on a tomato base. For kids who need grain-free, easily digestible carbohydrates (which help them gain weight), this can work well, as long as the lentils are cooked long enough to be very soft, about 2 hours. This recipe uses garlic salt instead of raw garlic, which seemed too pungent with the pumpkin. For meat eaters, this dish is good with chicken apple sausage like Applegate brand (GF, CF, organic). For vegetarians, if grains work, a black rice paired here is hearty and delicious. Makes 6 generous servings or 8 smaller ones.
Place uncooked lentils in pot with broth, bring to low simmer. Add the cider vinegar and cook for about 30 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
While lentils are cooking, prepare your vegetables: Chop potato, cauliflower, onion, and ginger root.
After lentils are softened, add potatoes, coconut milk, and canned pumpkin. Cook for 20 minutes more.
Once potatoes are softening after about 20 minutes, add chopped cauliflower, onion, and ginger root. Add the spices ( turmeric, curcumin, and garlic salt) now too.
Cook until vegetables are soft, adding more broth if needed. I usually let this simmer for 2-3 hours and longer is fine too, as long as the dahl does not dry out or burn. Stir in maple syrup and serve.
Don’t be daunted by the longish ingredient list – it’s mostly spices, which are worth picking up at a better bulk spice shop. Turmeric, curry, and cumin give immune supportive compounds and warming flavors to this recipe, so feel free to use them liberally, along with healthful garlic and ginger. Once the chopping is done, this recipe is a one pot dinner that is easy to make. Serve with rice, quinoa, or cauli-rice. Vary the vegetables in this dish as much as you like. Another good combination is to use sweet potato with chard or beet greens, or orange or yellow bell pepper with breadfruit. Options are as varied as your imagination!
Mix powdered dry spices: Cumin, curry powder, turmeric root, salt, and paprika and set aside.
Melt coconut oil in large skillet that is 3-4 inches deep. Add minced onion, garlic, ginger root, and turmeric root, and cook on medium heat until softened but not brown.
Add tomatoes and chicken broth, and turn up heat to bring to a steady simmer. Add potatoes. Option: You may instead microwave your chopped potatoes until soft, then add them to the skillet, to make this part faster.
Add green beans, coconut milk, and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, add dry spices, red curry paste, and honey or coconut sugar. Mix well, and continue cooking for 10 more minutes.
Just before serving, add cilantro and stir through. Serve curry over rice or quinoa.
