A Dark Light Chili

Cooks who would rather be in front of the TV, not in the kitchen, on Super Bowl Sunday should know that this California-style low-fat chili can be made the day before. In fact, it will taste even better if refrigerated overnight and reheated.

The chili is prepared on the stove top; it can also be made in a crock pot and kept hot for people to help themselves when they’re ready to eat.

Canned red beans in sauce with peppers and canned red chile sauce give depth to the chili without adding fat. The red chile sauce can be found in the Mexican food section of most grocery stores, but check the label to be sure the brand you buy is nonfat. Look for pasilla chile powder instead of regular chile powder; it’s darker and more flavorful than what you normally find in the spice section.

Serve slivered red onions on the side for people to add to their bowls. Warm tortillas or a crusty rustic bread would taste great with the chili.

LOW-FAT TURKEY CHILI

1 cup diced onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 fresh long green chiles, seeded and chopped

Nonstick cooking spray

1 pound ground turkey or chicken

3 tablespoons pasilla chile powder or to taste

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1 (1-pound 10-ounce) can red beans, sauce and chipotle peppers

1 (1 pound 12-ounce) can red chile sauce

1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes with liquid

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

2 cups water

1 red onion, slivered

Saute onion, garlic and chiles in large, heavy saucepan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray until tender. Stir in ground turkey. Saute, stirring occasionally, until meat loses red color. Stir in chile powder, cumin, oregano and salt. Add red beans, chile sauce, tomatoes with liquid, tomato paste and water. Stir until blended. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Ladle into bowls and serve with slivered onion.

Makes 12 (1-cup) servings.

Each serving contains about:

134 calories; 1228 mg sodium; 18 mg cholesterol; 2 grams fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 11 grams protein; 4.74 grams fiber.