Panera has some pretty amazing menu items – one of my favorites is their Turkey Chili.  What I really love about it is the addition of corn, carrots, and edamame!  These make it tasty and colorful!  And the ground turkey makes it a bit healthier than traditional beef chili.  I set about creating my own version of this, with the spices just the way I like them – on the milder side.  If you like it hotter, then by all means, go for it!   You should cater to your own palate as well – and make it as spicey as you like!  If you like your chili thicker, use less liquid.  Thinner?  Add some water, or more crushed tomatoes.

I simmer this in a dutch oven on the stovetop for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.  You can also make it in a crockpot, and simmer for at least 4 hours.

Ingredients (this recipe will serve 6-8)

3 Tbsp olive oil
1 med onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp chipotle pepper flakes, or you can use 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, chopped with 1 Tbsp sauce
1 lb ground turkey
1 (12 oz) Mexican lager style beer
2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) Kidney or black or pinto beans, rinsed, and drained
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 c chopped carrots (steam in microwave for about 2 min, just to get them tender)
1/2 c frozen corn (thawed) or canned corn
1/2 c frozen edamame (thawed)
Sliced scallions, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips for garnishes.

Heat the olive oil in a large pot, or heavy skillet over med heat.  Add the onion, garlic, salt, chili powder, cumin, and oregano.  Cook and stir for about 3 min.  Stir in the tomato paste, and chipotle addition.  Cook and stir 1 more minute.  This mixture smells amazing!

Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.  Cook for about 5 min.

Pour mixture into a crockpot.  Add the beer.

Add the tomatoes, beans, carrots, corn, and edamame.

Simmer the mixture on high for 1 hour, then reduce to low for another 3 hours.

Ladle the chili into bowls, and garnish as desired.