White Chicken Chili

I love blog surfing.  I'm sure you know what I mean.  It's become one of my very most favorite things to do.  I must admit Hubby is a wee bit worried about my latest obsession.  He can't relate.  I say, "well at least I'm not out shopping or on Amazon buying more cookbooks!"  Whatever.  Anyhoo, whilst surfing I found this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Closet Cooking.  Kevin, the author, is always cooking something that makes my mouth water and his photos are always off the charts beautiful.  So with the blustery weather we've been having I thought this would be the perfect dinner to warm the soul and chase the chill. It certainly was. Give this recipe a try soon. It's really good. We had a little bit left over so, for lunch the next day, I rolled up a bit of the chili, with some extra beans and cheese, in a tortilla, and had a terrific chicken burrito.

White Chicken Chili:  adapted from Closet Cooking

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon oil
1 onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 (4.5 ounce) cans chopped green chilies
2 jalapeno peppers (diced)
2 (19 ounce) cans northern beans (drained )
2 cups chicken stock (more if needed to thin stew)
1 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups chicken (cooked and shredded)
2 tablespoon masa

1/2 cup milk or half and half (I used half and half)

1/2 teaspoon Tapatio sauce

Toppings:

Monterey Jack Cheese or White Cheddar-grated
Avocado-sliced
Sour Cream
Sliced Jalapenos
Cilantro-rough chopped

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a pan.
2. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and jalapeno and saute until soft, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the cumin, green chilies, beans, chicken stock, oregano, salt and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.( I prepared the stew to this point and refrigerated overnight so flavors would marry.)
6. Add the chicken. Mix the masa into the milk or half and half and then mix it into the chili and simmer for another 10 minutes or until heated through.
 7. Serve with desired toppings.