WCC

WCC = white chicken chili.  A FAVE in our house.  Probably 3 years ago or so, my office had a chili cook-off themed beer cart.  One of my co-workers at the time brought this white chicken chili in, and I have been in love ever since.  It is SO good.  Very cream based and super rich, with so much flavor, but not spicy.  My mouth is actually watering right now thinking about it.  It's one of our go to recipes for a fall pitch-in or dinner.  It doesn't require TOO many ingredients, and after you've made it a few times, it's a pretty quick process.

But, back to the most recent WCC consumption.  Every fall we have our "first fire" where we light the first fire of the year in our fireplace.  We always buy a large, cheap bottle of wine, drink, eat dinner, and hang out by the fire all night.  Fire nights are some of my absolute favorites, because Dave and I just catch up, talk and enjoy being with each other.  Definitely necessary every once in a while and much better than bad TV reruns.

So, because I heart all of you and fires and WCC make me feel warm and fuzzy, I want share the love.  Get excited.  It is seriously SO good.  Hope it brings you warm, cozy evenings and schmoopy, wonderful memories.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

16 oz (1 can) of canned white beans
1 Large Onion, chopped
1 Stick unsalted butter
1/4 c All-purpose flour
3/4 c Chicken broth
2 cups Half and Half
1 tsp Tabasco (or more, if you like spicy)
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder (or more, if you like spicy)
1 tsp ground cumin (I usually put in more)
1/2 teaspoon salt (I usually put in more)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Two 4-oz cans whole mild green chilies, drained and chopped
5 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
Some extra butter and oil to cook them in
1 1/2 c grated Monterey Jack
1/2 c sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat a large skillet over moderately high heat and put in some butter and oil. Meanwhile, coat your chicken with salt and pepper and some chili powder. Throw them in the skillet. Leave them for five to seven minutes, or until nicely browned, then flip them. Leave it there until browned and then flip them every few minutes until they are done.

2. Remove the chicken from the pan. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it with your fingers (or slice it up if you want to save some time) and set aside.

3. While waiting for chicken to cool, cook the onion in the same pan with 2 Tbs of butter until softened.

4. In a heavy pot, large enough to hold the whole batch, melt remaining 6 Tbs of butter over moderately low heat and whisk in flour. Cook the roux, whisking constantly, for three minutes. 

Stir in the onion and gradually add the broth and half and half, whisking the whole time. Bring mixture to a boil and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, or until thickened. (It will be nicely and obviously thick.) 

Stir in Tabasco, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Add beans, chilies, chicken and cheese, and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Add sour cream. May be served immediately.

5. Serve with the usual chili garnishes--cilantro, cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes, etc. Noodles are great too.

Recipe credit goes to the fabulous Jeff Watson.  Just in case you ever read this JNeighb, you know I gave you props.

Also, as a warning, you may look like this after consuming too much chili.  Be prepared.

Friday Funday

Since my last post title featured the day of the week it was written, I figured I may as well keep the theme going for the rest of the week.  Today is Friday.  Finally.  Minus a fun little $200 charge at the car dealership for new brake pads, it has been a great day.

Blessed to have the money to pay the $200 charge at the car dealership.  Chance to study for my test while my car was getting fixed.  Busy, but not too busy at work.  Beer cart day.  GORGEOUS weather.  Sold our Colts tickets for this weekend's game (we'll get to one eventually).  Wine and white chicken chilli tomorrow with Deej.  Wine and white chicken chilli tonight with the girls.  Dexter snuggle time.  Church on Sunday.  Visiting a great friend and her little one. 

So many good things about today.  Hope you all have lovely Fridays as well. 

Tuesday...Two Day

Anyone know that great quote from Friends?  "Monday, one day.  Tuesday, two day.  Wednesday, what day?  Thursday...it's the third day!"

That quote popped into my head this afternoon when I was thinking about how much I like Tuesdays.  Not sure why it was associated with my Tuesday thought, since it is really about Thursdays, but whatev.  

Back to Tuesdays.  Neither of us have class on Tuesdays, and always make sure we get home from work on time.  We get to cook dinner before 9 p.m., catch up on our inevitably HUGE piles of laundry, and maybe have a glass of wine or two (while watching Glee...and other thought provoking television programming).

Since today happened to be not only a Tuesday, but also the most beautiful fall day of all time, I decided to take my camera on my walk with Dex.  As a side note, I only got a FEW creeped out looks from people who thought I was trying to take pictures of them walking their dogs. Always a positive. 

So for your viewing pleasure, here's a little snapshot of this GORGEOUS Tuesday, two day.

I should have had this fabulous idea yesterday, before they turned off our neighborhood fountains.  One of  my favorite parts about where we live.

Dexter taking it all in.  He is not a huge fan of photo walks, they cramp his style (i.e. he can't pull and drag me all over the place while I'm stopped taking a picture).

LOVE the new Eagle Creek Trail.  No one would ever know its 6 feet from 71st Street.