Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 6 small red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• 2 cans dark red kidney beans
• 1 14oz can dice tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 Tablespoon Jamaican Jerk Seasoning - add more if you are feeling extra 'spicy'!
• 1/8 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper Coarse Grind
• 1/8 teaspoon Habanero Flakes - add more if you want more heat.
• 1/8 teaspoon Coriander Seed Powder
• 1  cup lean turkey ham, cubed
• 1/4 cup fat free half and half
• 1/4 cup coconut milk - see recipe below for how to make your own coconut milk.

Coconut Milk:

Coconut Milk is not the liquid found in the center of the coconut, nor is it the sweetened cream of coconut used for making desserts and some drinks. Coconut milk is actually the liquid that comes from steeping shredded coconut in hot water and squeezing out the liquid. If you cannot find coconut milk in your local grocery, you can use this simple recipe to make your own.

• Use equal parts of unsweetened, Shredded Coconut Flakes and water. I used about 1/4 cup each to get the 1/4 cup needed for this recipe.
• Simmer on stove until foamy (about 5-8 minutes on med high)
• Strain liquid (save the liquid!) through a cheesecloth or put the mixture in a mesh strainer and use the back of a spoon to press the liquid out of the coconut flakes.

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over med-high heat. Add celery thru garlic and sauté about 5 minutes until vegetables start to get tender.
2. Add the beans, tomatoes and 1 cup of chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Add remaining stock, and next 5 ingredients, Jerk Seasoning thru coriander. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. For added creaminess, take 1/2 to 3/4 cup of beans & potatoes out of the pot, mash them and stir them back into the soup before continuing to the next step.
5. Add turkey ham and cook for about 5 more minutes.
6. Stir in half and half and coconut milk and heat through.

Serves: 4

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories 543
Protein 27g
Carbs 57g
Cholesterol 29mg
Fat 26g
Sat Fat 15g
Trans Fat 0g
Fiber 7g
Sodium 719mg
Sugar 10g