Saturday, February 06, 2010

WINTER'S SUBTLE WHITE SECRETS ~ WINTER WHITE CHILI / WHITE CHOCOLATE & MACADAMIA NUT COOKIES

"There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherin every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig is clad with radiance."

~ William Sharp


Radiant Woods
(Hubbard Lake)
______________________

WINTER WHITE CHILI

6 plump boneless chicken breast halves
(gently poach about 15 minutes in organic chicken stock)
2 lbs. dried navy beans or Great Northern beans
(sort, rinse and soak overnight)
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 large chopped onions
6 cloves chopped garlic
4 chopped celery ribs (including leaves)
1 chopped green bell pepper
3 (4.5 oz.) cans green chilies
4 quarts organic chicken broth
4 Tbsp. cumin
3 Tbsp. oregano
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
juice of 3 fresh limes

Topping: shredded Colby-Jack cheese, sour cream, good salsa and chopped fresh cilantro


  • Saute onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic in olive oil about 10 minutes. Stir in Chilies, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and cracked pepper and saute 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to boil.
  • Drain beans and rinse well. Add to broth, reduce heat, and simmer until beans are tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours.
  • Shred or cube chicken breasts and add to broth. Add cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Adjust seasonings.
  • Serve topped with cheese, a dollop of sour cream, salsa, and chopped cilantro. Pass favorite chips.
_______________

WHITE CHOCOLATE & MACADAMIA NUT COOKIES
~ the Ho-Hum Housewife's favorite cookie
_______________

2 cups unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 tsp. vanilla
4 extra-large organic eggs
4 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 lbs. good quality white chocolate
1/2 lb. coarsely chopped macadamia nuts

  • Preheat oven to 375º.
  • Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar in large bowl. Add vanilla and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, beating until incorporated.
  • Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture.
  • Break or cut chocolate into small chunks. Add to dough with macadamia nuts.
  • Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375º for 8-10 minutes.
Winter Woods
(Hubbard Lake)
_____________________

"Go to the winter woods: listen there, look, watch, and 'the dead months' will give you a subtler secret than any you have yet found in the forest."

~ Fiona Macleod
(Where the Forest Murmurs)

25 comments:

Shady Gardener said...

Yum!! :-)

Unknown said...

These both sound divine, Joey. I made regular chili just the other day but I'm saving these recipes to make another day. The photos are so serene. Here, we aren't getting the big storm some of our American neighbours are being hammered with. We have a watery sunlight, very cold temperatures, but a definite serenity too, somehow. It's all good.

D said...

Need I repeat myself and say "beautiful collages" to the lady of collage?! ;) Interesting that you posted a white chili recipe as I was about to post a red one, but for today opted to post and celebrate my grandson's 4th birthday. Silly me... grandson over a recipe. Have a wonderful weekend Joey.

Carol said...

Your photography shows the stunning beauty of a snowy forest Joey! My mouth is watering thinking of your recipes... and your quotes ... especially Fiona's are perfect compliments.

joey said...

Wish you lived near to share, Shady :)

Thanks, Jodi. I was wondering how you were faring! We have been blessed with a very mild winter for Michigan so far ... but ... it's far from over and, fearing Farch, I know better than to brag :)

Aw, how sweet, Di. Of course you did the right thing ... your grandson is adorable! And happy weekend to you :)

joey said...

Thank you, Carol (we must have been posting at the same time). I just returned from your stunning post ... 'bee...utiful'!

Jess said...

hmmm you garden and COOK! And take some great pics too. Thanks for stopping by my new little blog. I appreciate the support!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hey, thanks! :)

I've been tasked with the Super Bowl party this year. Just flipped on the old laptop to figure out what to make and whaddyknow you've already done that for me. I'm sure they'll love that chili and those cookies sound so yummy.

What a marvelous place for a snowshoe, Joey!

sweetbay said...

Oh, I love the snowy woodland pictures! Beautiful!

Victoria said...

These are lovely recipes! I love the white theme..awesome! Beautiful pictures to match! How fun! I love navy beans..yum!
Another great post Joey!
Kiki~

joey said...

Fun to meet new bloggers, Jess. And thanks for the kind words :)

Enjoy, Kate! Though not entertaining, we're off to a Super Bowl Party too :) Yes, the lake/woods are grand for show shoeing ... very hilly and love to silently break virgin trails.

Thanks Sweet Bay. A blue sky after a fresh snowfall feeds the soul.

Good stuff, Kiki :) Loved you caught the white theme (but we're both 'old souls'). Yes, and navy beans ... many only know Great Northern beans that are much larger and not as tasty. You ARE a kindred soul :)

Jan said...

Joey, I was struck by the verses and those photo collages are awesome. I wish I could walk through that woodsy area! I would like to give those recipes a try. The cookies look like a temptation that I shouldn't even attempt because I will eat every one...but, I will copy it down. Of course that will mean I will make them! Did you just get this snow this weekend? We have experienced the monster storm that pounded the mid-Atlantic. I left a joking comment on your Facebook page about the snow covering up every last twig, stalk, etc, just when I was about done with looking at any more snow!! But, it is definitely a beautiful sight in your photos!

joey said...

Dear Jan, with all that you have been through, I can think of nothing lovelier than walking, hand in hand, with you through my woods. These older photos were taken from our cottage after a awesome snowfall ... Though we run back & forth, I am here, down state this weekend, jealous of those 2 foot snowfalls ... but by now, throughout our blogging friendship, you must know ... I'm a bit weird and loved your FB comment :)

Katarina said...

I can see that I'm not alone - your woods are dressed in the same, beautiful coats as mine... Winter sure is delightful, but still I'm longing for spring...
Hugs!

Blossom said...

Those snow are still so thick! Brrrr ... Cold!

Nutty Gnome said...

Oh Joey, you've done it again! You've made me hungry with your recipe (a first for about 10 days, given my dose of flu!) and you've made me yearn for deep, deep snow as I looked at those glorious photos in your collages!
We're threatened with lots of snow and temperatures down to about -12 by the middle of the week, so I might yet be lucky on that one!
The white chilli will have to wait a few days until I'm feeling up to cooking again instead of whipping stuff out of the freezer! :)

Ha ha - my word verification is 'motion' ...not a lot of that has been happening here recently!

Lucy Corrander said...

I was going to say 'delicious' - but that was about the photos - shows how appropriate as well as how beautiful they are.

The recipe. I don't think I've ever eaten chicken with chillies. We're going to try it!

Lucy

joey said...

I always carry spring, my favorite season, in my heart, dear Katarina! *hugs*

Blossom, these are past photos from the woods surrounding our cottage in northern Michigan. Here, back home , we only have a light blanket of snow on the ground.

Happy to hear you are on the mend, Nutty. Sounds like the flu really hit you for a loop! Like you, I hate to be sick :( Though we were fortunate to miss this past blast, like you we are expecting some kind of a wintery dump during the middle of the week.

Thanks, Lucy! I hope you enjoy this combo ... very popular here and, I'm sure, served at many Super Bowl parties today!

donna said...

When I read the words White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut Cookies, I knew this would be one of my favorites post.

I can taste them now.

donna

F Cameron said...

Love the blue sky with the snow!

I just had dinner but your recipes are making me hungry again!

Cameron

joey said...

Yes, yummy Donna! So I see will be enjoying computer down time. Do enjoy the change of pace :)

Chloe m said...

Tempting yumminess! I love macadamias...good way to enjoy them. Thanks for sharing another fabulous recipe!

joey said...

You are a dear, Cameron, and thanks.

As you might have guessed, Rosey, I love macadamias, too :)

Catherine said...

Beautiful Winter Photos Joey!! My woods have been wearing their Winter whites for a while now too! We got almost 2ft this past weekend & have another storm coming tomorrow night! Two yummy recipies to help chase away the Winter~snowed in blues~Thanks!!
Cat

joey said...

I'm with you, dear Cat ... we have snow predicted for tomorrow also! Get the camera ... after you eat :)