Can’t believe the season is over already!
I hope you were able to make it to a game or make plans for next year. This facility is so worth seeing and catching a game at. You really can’t beat our scenery around the ball park when it comes to Spring Training in AZ.
See you next year! And remember to follow me on Instagram @Peachy_ChiChi to find out where I’m bartending next, or keep an eye on The Good Life!
You know what I REALLY love?
Greek food.
There’s something about feta that’s just… Magical. Put it on a salad, shit, just lettuce, and… You’re welcome!
Gyro’s, Tzatziki, the lemon sauce on “Greek Fries” is the stuff dreams are made of.
So, when the owner of my favorite Greek spot in town opened up Salut Kitchen & Wine Bar in Tempe, I knew I had to gooooooooo. Like, yesterday… Naturally, when the Boo asked me to hop on the back of his steel horse and ride like the wind for Greek food and Absinthe, I was beyond sold.
Yes, I’m THAT girl, on the back of a Harley, going down the street, taking photos with my phone. 
Anyway, upon arrival, I saw they had Absinthe on the menu and decided to skip lunch in favor of “The Green Fairy”…
Lucid Absinthe is pretty good stuff, when it comes to Absinthe. They adhere to the traditional 19th century way, using Wormwood to produce an authentic, yet legal product. And, well, truth be told, the ole “Green Fairy” thing is a myth. You won’t hallucinate on this stuff, you’ll throw up before you get enough in you to find out. I’m not a fan of the taste, but the experience is something worth trying a few times and the presentation is pretty cool to boot!
Salut has GREAT deals going on all the time and are perfect for a date or a ladies night. They always have a s’mores and bottle of wine special I’m dying to try. (A whole bottle of wine and table side s’mores. Can’t beat that with a cuddly stick!)
You’re welcome. 
There are few things better in this world, than bacon and Jim Beam. FEW. So when they come together and form something not only absolutely decadent and delicious, but somehow, healthy, it’s nothing short of a glorious miracle.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…
I started doing some research on lentils and found that they’re a great substitute for beans, really, anywhere you need beans. Now, my family loves some refried beans, so we won’t be subbing anything out for good, but for chili, when the other ingredients can get pretty fatty and caloric, it’s nice to contrast that with something like lentils.
When compared to beans, say, black beans, because that’s what I was going to use in this recipe. For having such little fat and calories, lentils maintain a good amount of nutrients.
Also, like beans, they add significant volume to a meal, so if you’re short on ingredients or funds and need to stretch a meal, these are GREAT!
It was REALLY easy to get the Man to eat this, he wanted to give lentils a try and LOVES Jim Beam and, of course, bacon, so there wasn’t much arm twisting. He said he felt fuller off of less food and enjoyed the taste as well, so we’re sold on lentils!
So, let’s get started!
Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
12 pieces (1pkg) of bacon, diced
3 c of COOKED lentils
1 sm yellow onion, chopped
1 head of garlic, minced
3 lbs of roma tomatoes, washed and chopped
3 c kidney beans, totally optional, I had some left so I used them up
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
Jim Beam, about a cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Start by frying the bacon in a large heavy pot, when it’s got a sizzle and has started to release some fat, add the turkey. Cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the turkey is browned and the bacon is done.
Throw in the garlic and onion and let that get sexy for a few minutes until it’s fragrant and tender. Don’t stir too much, you want that crusty love to form on the bottom, because we’re going to deglaze with alcohol and then fill with liquid you don’t have to worry about the burn.
Reduce the heat just a little and add a cup of bourbon, slowly, getting all the bits off the bottom of the pan as you stir.
Add the tomatoes and bell peppers, cooking over medium heat, covered, stirring occasionally. When everything is heated and starting to bubble add the chili powder, kidney beans and lentils.
At this point you can transfer everything to a crock pot to simmer for the day. High or medium, you’re not going to over cook chili. You can also keep cooking stove top until your tomatoes break down to the consistency you want.
Salt and pepper to taste and you’re done!
Enjoy!
