New Traditions · Soups and Stews

Turkey Green Chile

Green Chile was a novel concept to me until I moved from the midwest to Arizona and then to Colorado.  My Iowa roots only knew Chile as red, in Chile Con Carne.  I’ve grown to love green chile but I prefer mine mild.  This Green Chile was a favorite of mine made at a local office building cafeteria many moons ago.  It’s been years since I have made the turkey (vs. pork) green chile and I was happy to experience it once again.  The original recipe made a much heavier roux but I prefer it on the lighter side.

Warm flour tortillas to serve with the chile to warm you on these cold winter nights!

TURKEY GREEN CHILE

3 quarts (96 oz.) chicken stock (remove 1 cup for roux)
1/2 cup olive oil
2/3 cup diced onion
1/2 bunch chopped cilantro
12 ounces diced green chiles
2 pounds ground turkey
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon jalapenos
4 tablespoons flour (or more if you want the chile to be thicker)
16 ounces chopped tomatoes
2 to 3 chopped green onions
salt, cayenne or tabasco to taste

  • Prepare chicken stock. Simmer while preparing other ingredients.
  • Heat olive oil; add onion, cilantro, 8 ounces green chiles, turkey, garlic, oregano and jalapenos until turkey is cooked. Lower heat.
  • Combine flour with the 1 cup of reserved stock to make roux. Mix thoroughly. Add to stock and stir. Add sautéed mixture.
  • Add 4 ounces green chiles, chopped tomatoes and additional green onions. Season to taste.
  • Serve with warm tortillas.
Family Favorites

Mexican Cornbread Casserole with Green Chile

Many years ago, my friend Judy D., shared this recipe with me and it has been a family staple.  Serve with homemade green chile and you have a wonderful meal for family and friends.  This time I served with slices of the last tomatoes of the season.  A silly discovery…sliced canned peaches made a wonderful side to this.  Don’t ask me why…it just does!

This casserole also freezes beautifully.  I have frozen leftovers and have also  made two pans and froze one.  Just heat it again and voila…dinner is served.

MEXICAN CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

2 cups yellow corn meal
2 cans cream style corn
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 pounds ground beef (or turkey)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 small can green chiles (mild or hot)
Green Chili

  • Mix together corn meal, corn, eggs and milk. Set aside.
  • Brown and drain ground beef.
  • In a separate bowl, mix cheese with green chiles.
  • Spray 9×13″ pan with PAM. Put 1/2 of cornmeal mixture into bottom of baking pan.
  • Spread all ground beef and chiles on top. Next sprinkle with cheese.
  • Finish with remaining cornmeal mixture.
  • Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Great topped with hot green chili (canned or home-made).