As a mom and a chef, I think my first message for this Father’s Week of blog posts is this: Dads do not need to be relegated to the grill. I still can’t figure out why that is the “man’s world” but it is a prevalent stereotype. I believe in men creating great food for themselves and their families while having a good time and actually making something that doesn’t have to be finished with bottled BBQ sauce. I was fortunate enough to grow up with a dad who is a chef. Richard Catelli, my father, was a supreme recipe creator at our family’s California wine country restaurant (learning all his culinary skills from my very gifted grandmother). Now retired, he still blesses friends and family with his signature meat sauce, pastas, or minestrone. What my father possesses in the kitchen is a confidence and ease that I see has been lost by younger generations. He has a love of food that is enjoyed by friends and family. This Father’s Day season I salute my amazing father who is not only one of the first influences I had in the kitchen—but he reminds me to celebrate with love, openness, and an a bottomless pot of something delicious to be shared with anyone who wants to partake.
-Domenica

Tips: Best Father’s Day gifts in the kitchen—a good knife, a high-quality bottle of extra virgin olive oil, a large bamboo cutting board, a brand new cooking sheet

Recipe: Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1-3 teaspoons, red chili flakes
3 tablespoons fresh garlic, chopped
1 lb. ground turkey breast (make sure it is ground turkey breast, not just ground turkey)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 14.5 oz can of fire roasted organic crushed tomatoes
2 15 oz cans black beans
2 15 oz cans of kidney beans
1 cup of water or chicken broth
Optional: Jack or sharp cheddar cheese, fresh onion, or sour cream for topping.

Process

1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, sauté onion, cumin and pepper over medium heat with extra virgin olive oil. Do not let onions brown. As onions become soft, about 5 minutes, add garlic and cook about 2 minutes.
2. Add ground turkey. Stir and smash up turkey. Add soy sauce. Add fire-roasted tomatoes. Add beans and water (or broth).
3. Bring to a boil, turn down to medium heat and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Serve with grated sharp cheddar or jack cheese, chopped fresh onion and sour cream.

More Blog Posts by Chef Domenica Catelli:

Father’s Week
Man’s Next Best Friend
Boosting Diets with Organic Veggies and Fruits
Fiber for Dad
Healthy Does Not Mean Boring