Speedy Turkey Chilli – just 252 calories per serving!

Aside from feeling obligated to eat it at Christmas, I never used to bother with turkey except for using the leftovers from the joint to make a pissed-up turkey curry on Boxing Day. But I’ve come to appreciate that this super-healthy meat (often containing just 2% fat) is a fantastic alternative to chicken and should be a regular fixture in my diet.

Speedy Turkey Chilli from the Hairy Dieters’ Make it Easy book is both speedy and easy to throw together, and just 252 calories per serving (without rice, I used a small portion here). This recipe only requires 300g of turkey mince as you get plenty of additional protein and fibre from the black beans and sweetcorn. Surprisingly, it doesn’t actually contain any chilli – instead you get the heat from the chipotle paste which I absolutely love!

If you’re wondering what to do with any remaining turkey mince, Turkey Lettuce Wraps and Turkey Burgers and Chips are brilliant options to stretch your budget further.

Recipe: Speedy Turkey Chilli

Calories: 252 calories per serving

Serves: 4

Book: Hairy Dieters – Make it Easy

Prep time: Approx 10 mins

Cooking time: Approx 10 mins

Ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil, bunch of spring onions (sliced into rounds), 1 red pepper (diced), small bunch of coriander, 300g turkey mince, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder or granules, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp tomato puree, 1-2 tsp chipotle paste, 400g can of black beans (drained but not rinsed), 150g sweetcorn, lime wedges, sea salt and black pepper

Cost per portion: Approx £1.52

Method: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the spring onions and red pepper and fry them over a high heat for 2 minutes. Finely chop the coriander stems, reserving the leaves for later, add the stems to the saucepan together with the turkey mince. Continue to cook over a high heat, stirring constantly, for another 2 minutes.

Add the spices, tomato puree and chipotle paste and stir to combine. Then add the beans and sweetcorn along with 150ml of water and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened without being dry,

Serve sprinkled with plenty of chopped coriander leaves and a squeeze of lime. A salad on the side is nice too.