Comfort Food: Chili

I have two loves in the cold winter, good chili and good soup. Recently I have talked a lot about soup and forgotten about chili, but in the past week I have made chili twice and was sad that I didn't pull out my recipes sooner, with the winter thaw out hopefully coming soon. If the cold does stick around at least I have a good reason to keep making chili. These two recipes are new to my collection and they have become quick favorites in our house. Seth preferred the meaty chili over the chicken version, but I loved them both and they were super easy to make.

Creamy White Chicken Chili

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon oil
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained (I used white kidney beans because I had them on hand instead)
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies (if you like less kick, add just one can)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately. This is especially good served with tortilla chips. Makes about 5 generous servings.


Slow Cooker Beef and Black Bean Chili from Martha Stewart

• 1 pound beef chuck, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
• 1 cup dried black beans, rinsed
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 cup sour cream, for serving

In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine beef, tomato puree, beans, onion (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish), garlic, chili powder, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover, and cook on high, 6 hours (or on low, 8 hours). Serve chili topped with sour cream and reserved onion. Makes 5 generous servings.

This recipe fed 3 hungry boys, myself and left enough for one person's leftovers.