2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 white onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 29-ounce can tomato sauce
2 cups diced tomatoes with their juice
3 cups beef or vegetable stock (we like Kitchen Basics brand for this recipe)
2 carrots, sliced
5 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons mild chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
Heat oil in a large dutch oven to medium. Add ground beef or turkey and cook for 10 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula. Add onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes more. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes or until carrots and sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Remove bay leaves and let chili cool for a few minutes before serving.