White Chicken Chili redux

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp cumin
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne powder
pinch of ground cloves
1 large white onion, small dice
1 jalapeno, minced finely
4 cloves garlic, minced finely
1 7-oz jar of green chiles, diced
1 qt chicken stock
2 cans of white northern beans, drained and rinsed
salt and pepper to taste (I used 1/2 tsp salt)
2 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream
Toppings:  shredded monterey jack cheese, sour cream, cilantro, diced avocado

In large dutch oven, heat oil until shimmering.  Coat chicken with spice mixture and sear on med-hi on either side 3-4 minutes on each side.  Remove chicken and set aside.  Add onion and jalapeno and saute until soft.  Add garlic and saute just until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.  Add green chiles and chicken stock and deglaze, scraping the bits from the bottom of the pot.  Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pot and simmer until chicken is cooked through.  Remove chicken and rest for 5 minutes.  Slice or shred chicken and return to pot.  Add beans, s&p, and cream.  Simmer uncovered until a bit thickened, 15-20 minutes. 

Halloween Chex Mix

8 oz white chocolate chips 4 cups Corn Chex cereal 2 cups bite-size pretzel twists (I used pretzel balls) 1 cup candy corn M&Ms 1 cup candy corn 1/4 cup orange and black sprinkles In large microwavable bowl, microwave white chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Gently stir in cereal, pretzels, candy corn and M&Ms until evenly coated. Toss the sprinkles over the mixture. Spread on waxed paper until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. Break into chunks.  www.plainchicken.com

Italian Sausage Soup

splash of olive oil
1 lb of Italian sausage (mild or hot)
1 onion, diced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 c peeled and diced carrots
3 white or gold potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp flour
1 qt chicken stock, hot
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
pinch of cracked red pepper
8 oz of tomato sauce
optional: fresh baby spinach
toppings: grated parmigiano reggiano, fresh basil topping, fresh cracked pepper

In a dutch oven heat oil until shimmery. Add sausage, onion, and celery and cook over medium high heat until meat is crusty and cooked through. Add carrots and potatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes, and then add garlic. Cook 30 seconds or so until fragrant. Pour off all but one Tbsp of fat, and add flour. Whisk 2 minutes until the veggies and meat are well coated. Add hot chicken stock in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until fully incorporated. Add spices and tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and cover to simmer until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 25 minutes. Add spinach about 2 minutes before serving if using. Top with Parmesan, basil, and pepper.

White Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 c Crisco
1/2 c butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour, split
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
6 oz white chocolate, chopped into chunks
3/4 cup chopped dried red tart cherries (a little more than half a 6 oz bag)
sliced almonds for garnish
fleur de sel for garnish

Cream fats and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.  Reserve 2 Tbsp of flour and sift the rest with powder, soda, and salt.  Add dry ingredients to batter and mix just until combined.  Add oatmeal and mix just until combined.  Toss white chocolate chunks and chopped cherries in a small bowl with 2 Tbsp of flour until coated, then stir in flour, white chocolate, and cherries.  Scoop in 1 1/2 Tbsp balls, flatten a bit with damp fingertips and top with 5-6 sliced almonds and a few flakes of fleur de sel.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Mexican Chicken Pressure Cooker Casserole

2 1/2 cups prepared white, brown or green chile rice.
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 lbs of pressure cooker chili lime chicken, cooked with 1 4-oz can diced mild green chiles then shredded or chopped
1 cup of shredded cheese
toppings like:  diced avocado, lime squeeze, cilantro, sour cream, black olives or thick tortilla chips

In a casserole dish combine rice, beans, chicken and juices.  Top with shredded cheese and bake at 425 until cheese is melted, 5 minutes (You may need to bake longer if casserole is made-ahead and ingredients need to get hot  If so, cover with foil to prevent cheese from browning).

Green chile rice

1 Tbsp canola oil or rendered bacon fat
2 Tbsp finely diced white onion
1 cup long grain white rice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 1/2 cups chicken stock, heated to steaming
1/2 cup green salsa (I like Herdez salsa verde)
1/2 tsp salt, optional depending on saltiness of chicken stock
cilantro, washed and minced, for garnish
squeeze of lime, for garnish

Heat oil on med-high heat until shimmering.  Add onion and saute until translucent and soft.  Add rice and saute until rice turn white, stirring constantly to avoid sticking.  Add garlic and spices and saute briefly (until fragrant).  Pour in hot stock, salsa, and salt (if needed) and deglaze pan a bit.  Bring to a rolling boil, cover and reduce heat to low for 20-25 minutes.