Recipe 3, Week 2: White Chili

NOTES

• I always double or triple this recipe. It's good for lunch for many days afterwards!
• From Simply in Season
• The recipe calls for 1 c. cooked chicken. You have several choices here. I usually buy a whole fryer and boil it in water with some chopped celery, carrots, onion, and salt and pepper for about 35-45 minutes or until the meat falls easily from bone. Remove chicken from water, cool and then using a fork, shred it. You will have plenty to freeze for chicken enchiladas or quesadillas, chicken salad, chicken nachos, etc. And you will have yummy chicken broth - enough for your soup and some to freeze as well...for free! For the broth - strain the veggies and small pieces of meat that have fallen off and let broth sit for a bit so you can skim some of the fat from the top. Other options include boiling chicken legs, thighs, or breasts (same directions as with the fryer only they don't need to boil as long) or buying a rotisserie chicken and shredding it.


INGREDIENTS• 1/2 medium onion chopped
• 1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped fine
• 1 can green chilies
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 c. chicken broth (this is what the recipe calls for but I always use more. Or you could use a mixture of chicken broth and water with chicken bouillon cubes).
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1 can navy or other white beans
• 2 c. corn
• 1 c. cooked chicken
• 1/4 c. sour cream
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp ground cumin (I usually add more like 3 tsp)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped cilantro (optional but yummy)
• Shredded cheddar or monterrey jack cheese (optional)

DIRECTIONS1. In a large frying pan, sauté first 5 ingredients (through garlic) until just tender and set aside.
2. In a soup pot, melt butter, blend in flour, and cook briefly. Stir in broth and milk. Cook over medium high heat, stirring continuously, until sauce thickens.
3. Add beans through cumin to pot along with sautéed veggies and heat through. Season to taste with chopped fresh cilantro, salt, and pepper. Garnish with shredded cheese.