Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

White Bean Chili

A cloudy, windy - cold day.

Even Miss Callie stands at the door waiting for an invitation to come inside. Like she has shared she is has never let her dogs come inside. Her dogs have always stayed outside, roamed the woods, and would sit in the driveway waiting to alert her of any visitor.

Guess she is growing weak in her old age. She spread a sheet by the door, opens the door and Miss Callie comes inside the house. Every time she looks at her she wags her tail.

Lunchtime was approaching and she has to eat, does not feel like cooking and nothing sounds appealing. Too cold and wintry for peanut butter. Needs something warm in her stomach.

The Thanksgiving leftover turkey yielded 4 bags in the freezer. She has a recipe for white bean chili and it uses chicken breast and she may have most of the ingredients and decides to prepare this simple chili with the turkey.

She did half the recipe and as usual changes it some. It turned out to be tasty at lunch and the balance this evening.

1 can of white beans - thoroughly rinsed
l 1/2 cans of chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
chopped onion - a little less then 1/2 cup
2 1/2 cups cooked and chopped turkey breast
1 small can chopped chiles
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1/2 tablespoon oregano
black pepper to taste
cilantro - chopped - she did not have this on hand

Beans and chicken broth in pot and begin to warm
Saute butter, onion, garlic, and chiles for 5 minutes
Add this along with the cooked chopped turkey and spices to beans and broth
cook for about 20 minutes, then simmer and stir occasionally until you are ready to eat

She found this tasty and it would be extra good with cornbread. She did not feel like making cornbread and just had crackers with it.

Not the most exciting meal in the world - but nourishing and simple for one.

Like she shared she cut this in half. Her daughter prepares something similar, using cooked chicken breast and doubles for family.
*-

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your recipe sounds good and nourishing. You know I like to cook and this is something I can fix for one when I need it. Thanks for sharing. It sounds so good and a great way to use leftover turkey, too!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy, I have to say - it was tasty and I will make again with some of the turkey in the freezer. Usually make turkey salad with leftovers - but wanted something warm. Have a good day. It is cold here by the woods.

Tabor said...

Such a coincidence in that last week we had leftover turkey chile, but with red beans. I had purchased some new spices on my trip to Asheville this fall and added those and it turned out quite tasty and warming. I am so glad that you are smart enough to cook for yourself.

Dogs do have a way of sneaking into your heart. You will not regret letting him be a closer part of your life...except for the wet doggy smell!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Tabor, my cooking is so simple. What exciting spices did you use?
Miss Callie will only be invited in the house in really cold weather. She is short haired and so far "smells pretty good".

Lou said...

I come here sometimes and enjoy your blog. I have been reading the story of your dog Callie. Dogs are social animals and love to be with their people. I am very happy that you are allowing her in your house. Dogs are not meant to stay outside all by themselves...they are very social.
Bless your heart for having adopted her and do yourself a favour and keep her in, she will be so grateful.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Lou, thank you so much for commenting. Callie and I have become very devoted to one another.
Her eyes follow me every move I make. She is a good girl for only being a little over a year and also for me only having her 2 months. I tried to check your blog but could not. Have a good day.

Hughes ap Williams said...

It was obvious that you really wanted to let Callie be a house dog...it was only a matter of time. Sometimes we forget that dogs are pack animals and we are their pack.

Don't get discuraged if there is a little "step back" once in a while - something chewed or a housebreaking issue. Just persevere.

Balisha said...

Your recipe sounds really delicious. I love anything with beans.Callie is such a beautiful dog.
Balisha

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Huges ap Williams - you are probably right. No accidents yet - just chewing. Balisha, this is good and simple. Yes, Callis is a beauty. Just a little 27 lb mixture of everything - but really smart.

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

I love white bean chili. I need to make something like soup for the weekend...it's going to be bitterly cold tomorrow!

Alan's company party is tonight so we'll have dinner plans.