White Bean-Chicken Chili - Really!!

My goodness January is over - and February seems to be coming in on a storm! I have this involved (12 pies to make) dinner planned for Wednesday night and I am worried that the weather may dictate that we don't risk our older members and young people be out in the cold, cold weather and the Elders and ministers cancel services for Wednesday night. In their wisdom - they will decide what is best for our congregation -- BUT I NEED TO KNOW - before I make the Corn Bread Salad and start the 12 pies. I trust they will make a decision early tomorrow and be kind enough to let me know. If they decide at the last minute - I will try and travel to our older shut ins and others and take them meals! That would not be bad either! GOD is in control and I will do whatever HE says!

Tonight I really thought about copping out and saying we had to get something at Little Italy or somewhere - but common sense over-ruled and I cooked. I boiled some chicken and then pulled it into big bites. I made my version of White Bean Chicken Chili. I had a recipe that seemed bland, bland, bland -- and it was a Betty Crocker recipe, and to be fair during her time -- they didn't use much spice. Two cloves of garlic was very "forward!" So I am going to try and give you the recipe I made up as the soup progressed. IT really was delicious!!


WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILI - JC's version!
4 Skinless and Boneless chicken breast - thawed
4 or 5 chicken thighs or legs
2 cans Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chiles
3 Cans Northern White Beans or White Navy Beans (what I used)
2 Tbls. Olive oil or butter
1 Large onion - chopped
4 Cloves garlic - Pressed
3 Cups Cut up Cooked Chicken
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 pkg. shells or Heart Heathy Whole Wheat Penne (what I used)
2 Tablespoons Penzey's Chili 2009 seasoning (or any chili seasoning you have - or get me to bring you some 2009!!!)


In 4-1/2 to 5 qt. pan, get olive oil hot and add onion and garlic - add salt and pepper and cook until onion is tender - making sure to not burn garlic
After chicken is cooked, cut into bite size pieces and add chicken, onion, garlic, and rest of ingredients - including spices,except Penne. Bring to a boil and add Penne - cook until Penne is tender, Add more salt, pepper or ground red pepper to taste!

Serve with sour cream, cilantro and Mexican cheese, if desired- and definitely chips. I bought some Chipotle flavored chips at the Mexican Food store on the West Loop. They were wonderful with this soup!!

This was very spicy and very good. What I want you to learn from this - is don't be afraid to add flavor, spice, or whatever it takes to make your dish POP - and everyone call for more!!

It seems everyone at the Bank (my branch) watched the skating show last night - while old fashion me watched the most awesome romantic movie - Hallmark's production of "The Lost Valentine!" Yes it was emotional, romantic and sad. Yes I cried - but it was a story of love and how some people hold onto that love for life. IT starred Betty White and I can't wait to buy it and watch it often - to be reminded how true love never goes away - no matter what happens!

I have to admit some people have looked at me like I was from a foreign planet when I said I was making Buttermilk Pies. Now I may have joined them -- had I not grown up - ocassionally having Buttermilk Pies and realising they don't taste like buttermilk - but are very good - so I hope they are adventurous enough to try one! If they just rebel - then they have the choice of a piece of Fudge Pie. Just hope the weather permits! I actually spent a fortune for decorations - and no - I won't charge the church for those!! It is my gift to my brothers and sisters!! I just think a pretty place to eat somehow improves the food! I have to have something special on my table at home - yes I love flowers best but sometimes cost prohibits my choice!!!

Ok - I've given you a recipe to try and begged you to come eat with us Wednesday night (unless services are cancelled in order to keep our brothers and sister's
safe.

Have a great night and please, please be careful tomorrow! Take it slow and easy and May God take care of you!!!

RECIPES THAT ARE WORTH USING!!!

What a beautiful service this morning! Travis said that if anyone didn't like the singing today - the might better just go live any ol' way and not go to Heaven - because today they were probably just getting a taste of what it will be there! Totally beautiful - how could anyone feel differently? Chuck has a way of bringing out the best in everyone - even me - as tone deaf as I am! The sermon was just as special - as well as the prayers of praise and thanks to God.

The service today reminded me of a wedding I attended a little over a week ago. It was absolutely the sweetest wedding ceremony I've ever attended. The Chapel was beautiful - now I'v seen more elaborate, elegant, etc., but once the ceremony started -that all seemed so insignificant. What was significant was what the preacher said - and how the bride and groom looked at one another. If every preacher would say the words of encouragement (to live totally for one another - with God always in their presence and part of their life - even pledging that in their vows) I truly believe more couples would work harder to make their marriages work. This was two very devoted Christian people who had waited for the right person - one pure, had the same God, the same love of Christ, same morals, same goals - and lived it for all to see - in their actions and deeds.

Oh my gosh - I haven't told you - I got a letter from Gooseberry Patch and I just thought they were wanting me to buy a new book or something! Better than that, they said they had selected one of my recipes (I am always sending one in to some magazine or cookbook publishers)to be published in a cookbook -due out in June 2011. Basically it is similar to the one we are having Wednesday night. It is my Pulled Pork Sandwiches! I am so honored1!

A few weeks ago I made up a chicken noodle soup recipe as I went - and it turned out to be the best I had ever made! I want to give you that recipe with hopes you will try it - especially if you like things a tad spicy! My brother-in-law cannot tolerate "hot" but he liked the soup! (You even get it before I send it to either Cooking Light or Gooseberry Patch!)


CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Jon Carole Gilbreath

5 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
3 stalks of celery, diced small
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
½ Green bell pepper
1 Can Rotel Tomatoes & Green chiles
2 Cans Chicken (low fat) broth
Broth from boiling chicken breasts
1 Package large size egg noodles (I used heart healthy whole wheat noodles and when they cook – they look white)
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil chicken breasts until fork tender. Remove from broth and when cooled slightly –cut or pull into large bite size pieces.

Add the celery, onion, garlic, bell pepper, and chicken to the broth. Bring to a boil and cook about 5 minutes. Add the two cans chicken broth. Bring back to a boil and add egg noodles and Rotel. Cook until noodles are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!!!!

Ummm- I ate just a little while ago and this makes me hungry again! It really is good!

Well - I spent the rest of today working for my church family. We are cooking Wednesday night so by the time we had gone to Sam's, Super 1 and Walmart to find all of the ingredients - it was about four before we got home. Then I edited the puppet skit I wrote for Travis' 3rd and 4th grade boys -- adding their names and just correcting spacing, etc., basically tweeking it! Then I had to change the names on the other one I had written and correcting it! I got through at 5:37 - just barely had time to change clothes and get on our way to church again!

Wednesday night we are going to have barbequed pulled chicken, cornbread salad (recipe on blog), fries (sweet potato and regular - well seasoned by me.) Fudge pies and buttermilk pies! Hope everyone enjoys it!!

At our Christmas brunch, we had these awesome cupcakes that everyone bragged on - so I thought that would be a great recipe to post - so here it is:

CREAM CHEESE CRANBERRY MUFFINS

1 8 oz. Cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 Cup sugar
4 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp.
2 Cups fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup chopped pecans
1 Cup better, softened
Drizzle:
2 Cups Confectioners’ sugar
3 Tablespoons 2% (or any) milk

In large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in cranberries and pecans.

Fill paper lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

If desired, combine the glaze ingredients, drizzle over warm muffins. Enjoy!!!

This may not make a lot of sense since I am half way watching Hallmark's presentation - "Lost Valentine!" It is so good so I am going to sign off and watch the last 30 minutes. May God watch and keep each of you!

WHAT RACHEL RAY DIDN'T TELL!!

I bet you are wondering what on earth I am talking about or "who do you think you are?" No one really - just someone who cooks and knows that when Charred Poblano's are brownish green - they wont make a soup bright green! I watch Rachel Ray on TV at lunch the other day and she made this fabulous looking soup and I could not wait to try it. Bought all of my ingredients and on Sunday I cooked my chicken. To the pot you add carrots, onion and celery! It is great broth in soup but please - never use it for dumplings. IT really gives them a strange taste. Last night I was going to finish my soup - and did - but as wonderful as it tasted - I will make it on a day off from work or a Saturday! Rachel Ray didn't show all the prep work - well she showed what had to be done - but not the time it takes!! But all of that to say -- it was the most wonderful dish I have probably ever made!!

CHICKEN AND POBLANO SOUP

For the poached chicken:

3 pieces bone-in, skin on, chicken breast (I used skinless with no bones for less fat!!!)
2 ribs celery, quartered
1 onion, peeled and quartered
2 carrots, peeled and quartered
2 bag leaves
1 lime

For the soup:
6 large poblano peppers
1 large red pepper
2 large (1-1/2 to 2 pounds) starcy potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 ears corn on cob (sliced off cob) or 1 cup defrosted frozen
1 Jalapeno pepper, finely chopped, optional for a spicy soup - OF COURSE I ADDED IT!
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I pressed!)
1-1/2 tsp. ground coriander (I omited because I didn't have)
1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
SEVERAL DROPS OF GREEN CAKE COLORING**
Garnishes: lime wedges, unsalted lightly crushed blue corn tortillas, fresh chopped cilantro.

Yield: Serves 4 - I DOUBLED RECIPE - wanted left-overs!!

PREPARATION

In large soup pot, cover chicken and poaching ingredients with about 2-1/2 to 3 quarts water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Simmer and poach 1 hour. Remove chicken breasts to a plate to cool. Peel and remove bones (if you have any) from chicken and slice the breast meat. Strain the poaching liquid and reserve the broth.

Preheat boiler. Place Poblano peppers and red bell pepper on a baking sheet and char evenly to blacken skins all over - leave oven door slightly ajar to allow the steam to escape. Place peppers in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam peppers and loosen flesh from skin.

In a small pot, cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Salt water and cook potatoes until very soft. Drain and mash until very smooth with some of the reserved stock.

Peel and seed peppers. Dice red bell pepper and coarsely chop poblanos. Add to a food processor, puree with a little stock until smooth. Add mashed potatoes and combine with more broth if necessary until very smooth and well-combined.

In a medium sized sauce pan or large skillet, heat olive oil. Add corn, garlic, jalepeno, coriander and cumin, and stir a few minutes over medium high heat. Add potato/poblano mixture and thin soup to desired consistency with reserved broth. Add sliced chicken and cook to warm the meat through!

Serve in soup bowls with wedges of lime to squeeze over the top, hot sauce and tortillas alongside.

Now you see why I said I would recommend making it on a weekend or day off. It doesn't take very long at all (Rachel Ray did it in less than 15 minutes) if everything is already done - chicken cooked, peppers charred, potatoes cooked and mashed, etc!!!! Again - I want to say - it is worth all of the work -- it is delicious!!!!

* Now to the point - what Rachel Ray didn't tell -- charred poblano peppers turn kinda brownish green. Her soup was bright green - so ADD A FEW DROPS OF GREEN CAKE COLORING TO YOUR SOUP AND YOURS WILL BE BRIGHT GREEN LIKE HERS!!!

It has been a long day - besides work I had a Red Cross Board meeting from 6 until 7:30; then had to get dinner ready -- have you tried the new offering in the freezer - Sweet Potato Fries - I fixed them tonight - took them from the bag, drizzled with Olive Oil, added salt, pepper, Fox Point (Penzey's) and Sandwich Sprinkile (Penzey's) and baked them about 15 minutes, turning once. They were delicious!!! THen Travis had everything laid out for me to make him a Chocolate Pudding. He even offered my $10.00 but for him - it is free! Then I had to make two batches of Brownies for a Red Cross function! We are so desparate for funds -- house fires are eating our lunch this month~ Thirteen in eleven days! Tammy said we are seeing people that would be out on the street - if we had not provided them shelter and clothing. She said it is really sad!!

I had planned to just make this my "Cooking Blog" but I guess I see too many things I want to share. You may have seen this before - but as I read it again I was really moved and wanted to share it with my dear friends that check out my blog!

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
>
> Mrs Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
>
> At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child’s past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
>
> Teddy’s first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around.
>
> His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
>
> His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
>
> Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
>
> By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'
>
> After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'
>
> A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
>
> Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
>
> Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
>
> Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
>
> The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
>
> They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'
>
> Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
>
> (For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
>
> Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today... Just 'do it'.
>
> Random acts of kindness, I think they call it!
>
So do your own Random act of kindness - and God will bless you. Thanks for reading!!

SOMETHING IS CRAZY WITH THIS NEW BLOGGING PAGE

I was not through blogging tonight and when I pull it up to edit - it would not let me - so here I am on the same night - continuing my post!!! I did put a picture of the mantle on the other post (with no label - no date, etc. I also want to show you a picture of the Cornbread Salad I made -- I am sure it will be at the top of this page - but first I want to share one more recipe! It is one I had never made until the other day and now I have made two of them (Travis loves them) and I will probably make it and maybe Lemon Bars for next Wednesday night!!

FUDGE PIE

1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup light Karo syrup*
1 Stick butter, melted
4 whole eggs
4 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell

Cream sugar, cocoa, butter and Karo syrup; add beaten eggs, vanilla and salt. Mix well. Add chopped pecans. Pour ino unbaked pie shell. Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes. Can be topped with vanilla ice cream! Travis and his guys really "ate it all!"

* I used store brand - much less expensive and worked just as well!

I am also going to show you a precious picture of my three little angels, devils, cuties -- 3-in-one sometimes!!!

I really want to go to the Zest Fest this coming Saturday at the Irving Convention Center in Los Colinas. Food Network and Chile Pepper magazine will be there and it just sounds like my kind of deal. Well - we'll see!

I know I had promised a new and improved blog -- I have been shown how to have my own domain - cool huh - joncarole.com -- and how to add pages, etc., but there has been no time to work on it -- and I sure don't want to lose any of my readers! There was an awesome article in the Dallas paper today about a lady who moved from Texas to New York and had an awesome job but started a blog about how lonesome she was for Texas and its Mexican food. She then gave recipes, pictures,etc. Her blog has grown to 5000. Well - that sounds awesome (and now she has a book deal - but I love my 19 visitors! Thank you for sticking with me. I hope I give you something - either a recipe or some spiritual inspiration you can use. God bless you for joining me!!!!

THANKS FOR JOINING ME FOR 2011

It is good to be back at my computer - thinking about the season past - the eleven months I blogged - telling all and giving you way over 100 recipes - and thinking about December and how it consumed me! There was nothing to give at the end of each day - and then I had to recover and get my heart wrapped around coming out here each night and sharing my love of cooking and my love of each of you! I have done a lot of cooking since I last shared a recipe with you! With help from many of my church friends, we managed to do the second annual Christmas Brunch and feed almost 400 people. Everything didn't go perfect, but I don't think anyone went away hungry! One thing for sure - we have some wonderfully created ladies at Shiloh and they decorated some of the most awesome tables -- no one sat at a shabby table! Belated I thank each of them!!!

One of the dishes I prepared for our Christmas dinner was Cornbread Salad. We went to Travis' Maintenance Group party and everyone was to bring a salad or dessert. Dana Wade brought a salad I heard about, but had never tried. It was delicious and she said it was Cornbread Salad. Now if you look up the recipe, you will see some with lots of bacon and beans of every variety - but what I didn't find was one similar to Dana's - full of healthy veggies and very colorful. So for my first recipe for 2011, here is my version of CORNBREAD SALAD!

CORNBREAD SALAD
Jon Carole Gilbreath

2 Boxes Jiffy Cornbread Mix
1 Small can chopped green chiles
2 ears Fresh corn, boiled until tender and sliced off of cobs
1 Small bunch fresh broccoli, chopped into small bites
½ Green bell pepper (chopped)
½ Red bell pepper (chopped)
½ Yellow bell pepper (chopped)
½ Red Onion, (chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic, pressed or minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Cup Light Ranch Dressing
1 Small Carton Light Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons Light Mayo
1-1/2 Cups Shredded Cheese (either Cheddar or 4 Mexican Cheeses)
½ Teaspoon Cayenne pepper (divided)

Mix Corn bread mix as directed on box, or I add 1 tsp. baking soda and use buttermilk in the place of regular milk and add about ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper). Add the small can of Green Chiles and bake until done. When you take out of oven – Cut through the cornbread with a knife to let it dry out some and cool. Combine all of the veggies and add a little salt and pepper to them. When the cornbread has cooled, take and break it into bite size pieces or cut into ½ inch blocks. Add the veggies to the cornbread and top with all of the cheese except for about ¼ cup. Combine the Ranch Dressing, Sour Cream and Mayo, and ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper. Cover the cheese with the dressing and dress it up with the reserved ¼ cup cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill for several hours or overnight. Toss well just before serving.
Note: You can just use Ranch Dressing (about 1-1/2 cups) but I like the combination of the Light Ranch, sour cream, light mayo and cayenne pepper. I hope you will try it and enjoy it!!!

I actually made this salad on Friday night for a friend to take to a church function on Saturday and she called all excited because it was the "hit of the event!" I am so glad!! Yes it is a little trouble and time consuming to make -- but what isn't - that is worth anything - like a fancy cake, a homemade gingerbread house, a dress, a marriage! It all takes time - but oh, the reward! I plan to serve this salad next week on February 2 at church with Barbequed Ground Hog -- actually it will be barbequed pulled pork sandwiches. Ha - my joke of the night!!

Just have to tell you - my house was beautiful at Christmas. I had some help doing it and even though she used my old stuff - it was amazing to see it turn out so awesome! I will try to post a picture of my mantle!