White Bean & Chicken Chili.

If you've tried my "regular" chili recipe, you know that I like my chili chunky. This white bean & chicken version is no different. And, like my more traditional recipe, this can be made in 30 to 40 minutes, start to finish.  I like my bowl of chili without added toppings, but the possibilities are endless: choose green onions, sour cream, cheese, salsa, lime juice or your own favorites.  My biggest eater - and true foodie at age 15 - loved his with sour cream and shredded cheese on top. He proclaimed that it tasted like "a warm burrito in a bowl."  The recipe below will feed a crowd, with leftovers.

• 1 T olive oil
• 2 pounds frozen chicken breast strips
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large leeks, white & light green parts sliced
• 32 ounces chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 3 cans cannellini beans, drained
• 3 cans diced tomatoes with mild chilis
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Heat oil in dutch oven.  Add frozen chicken strips and garlic and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning frequently.  Add leeks, chicken broth, salt & pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat; simmer for 5-7 minutes. Using tongs and kitchen shears, lift chicken strips from broth and cut into bite-sized pieces, returning chicken to broth as it is cut. Add beans and tomatoes. Stir. Return to simmer and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro; cook 5 more minutes and serve.

Chocolate Dipped Starfruit.

Nothing fancy about this, but I hope this serves as a little reminder that simple preparations can be simply amazing!  This is so easy, no recipe is required!  The contrast between the sweet chocolate and the cool, juicy fruit is what I think makes chocolate dipped fruit so yummy.  Be creative with your fruit selection.  Strawberries, kiwi, apples, dried apricots, pears, citrus fruits...any fruit that can be sliced or can be dipped whole will work just fine!


I used Baker's Dark Dipping Chocolate. (It's also available in milk and white chocolate varieties.)  And the wonderfully versatile starfruit!  Clean & slice your fruit, dip in melted chocolate, and set it on waxed paper until the chocolate is firm.  Two starfruit, sliced & dipped in dark chocolate, were demolished in less than 8 minutes. Yes, it was good.  The picture below is what I could manage to preserve long enough to take the photo!