Mexican Turkey and Pepper Stew

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. gluten-free chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 3 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. turkey cutlets or steaks, cut across the grain into thin strips
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium yellow bell peppers, cut into thin strips 2 inches long
• 1/2 tsp. coarse kosher salt
• 1 can (15 oz.) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup gluten-free low-sodium chicken broth
• chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Makes 4 Servings (1 3/4 cup per serving)

1. In a spice grinder or coffee grinder, combine the sesame seeds, cocoa powder, chili powder, and oregano. Grind to a fine powder.
2. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the turkey strips and cook, stirring, until opaque all over (but still pink in the center), about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate. 
3. Add the onion, garlic, 1 tablespoon water, and the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the pan. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers, sprinkle with the salt, and cook until begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
4. Sprinkle the vegetables with the sesame seed mixture and stir to combine. Add the tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop flavors and thicken the stew.
5. Return the turkey (and any juices) to the pan and cook for 1 minute to heat through. Divide the stew among 4 bowl and serve sprinkled with cilantro or parsley, if desired.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Gluten Solutions Cookbook. This stew is a quick and easy dish to enjoy on your gluten-free or healthy lifestyle. Don't worry if it looks messy. This stew is flavorful, delicious and filling. The sesame seeds and unsweetened cocoa powder add richness to the stew. If you want to add more heat to this stew, add a minced jalapeno or serrano pepper to the stew when you cook the bell peppers. If you want to add a finishing touch to this stew, add a tablespoon of sour cream and/or a tablespoon a shredded cheddar cheese for a filling and flavorful Mexican stew.