TIMOTHY'S WHITE CHICKEN CHILI AND THE CHILI BOWL LUNCHEON!

So, our little town in the Adirondacks has a beeeee-you-teee-fulll new Arts Center, and it just opened. We've always had an Arts Center here, right across the highway, but it was getting a little small, so a big new one was built. Every year, the Arts Center hosts its Chili Bowl Luncheon, which is just so wonderful, especially this time of year. Local potters make beautiful bowls, and various locals pitch in and make various kinds of chili to fill said bowls. Well, this year was a real barn-burner; over 350 bowls were sold, I'm told! That's why the table in the above photo looks a little sparse--because I was a little late! Here are some fun photos of the "scene" at the annual Chili Bowl Luncheon (and I PROMISE that, after today, no more day/date/time stamps on my pictures to annoy you!):

                                                   Isn't this pretty?

                    
                                           My friends Shelley and Leslie:

                                  
Okay, and here's a funny story--this is my new friend Reggie. I just met her, about 2 seconds before this picture was taken, but feel like I've known her forever. You see, at least once a day, someone walks up to me and says, "Hey, Reggie!" And then, realizing their error, tell me that I absolutely have a twin in this town. Well, now that I've met her, I'm TOTALLY flattered, because she's just GORGEOUS (by the way, I'm the one on the right)!:
             

                 Here's Big Daddy's bowl of beef chili--we are probably the ONLY attendees who didn't buy a handmade bowl this year, because every year for the past 4 or 5 we've bought bowls, and so I've been told I'm forbidden to buy any more--our kitchen is just too "bowl-ey"! Is that even possible?:

I must confess, I don't have any pictures of this White Chicken Chili recipe preparation for you today--I've been a tad "under the weather" lately, and have spent all my time this week running back and forth to Utica (an hour away) to see my 10,354 specialists. BUT, you simply must try this chili--it is DA BOMB! Just perfect for a cold Sunday afternoon (you need to be around for this one as it simmers on the stove). Hey, it would be just perfect for this Sunday's Academy Awards watching!

Credit for this recipe goes to my old nextdoor neighbor Meg, in Omaha. She has no idea who "Timothy" is, but we still call this "Timothy's White Chicken Chili", in his honor. Pretty funny~!  Enjoy!

TIMOTHY'S WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

Serves 6

1 lb. large white beans (like Great Northern), soaked overnight

6 cups chicken stock

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium yellow or white onions, chopped--divided

1 tblsp. olive oil

2 4oz cans mild green chilis, chopped

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (or more, if you like more heat)

4 cups diced cooked chicken breast

 Grated Monterey Jack cheese

Sour Cream

Salsa

Combine beans, broth, garlic and 1/2 of the chopped onion in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer until beans are soft--3 hours or more, adding more broth if necessary. In a skillet, saute remaining onions in oil until tender. Add chilis and seasoning and mix thoroughly. Add to bean mixture, then add cooked chicken and simmer for 1 hour. Serve on a cold and snowy day, topped with grated cheese, salsa and sour cream.

                            TOP 3 THINGS I'M GRATEFUL FOR TODAY:

1. I am very grateful that our new "laundry room" is just about finished. Maybe someday I'll get all of the sheet rock dust that is coating my home cleaned up!

2. I'm grateful that Tuesday is March 1st!

3. I'm grateful for Venti Skinny Lattes--they make my world go 'round.