White Chili

prep time:: 30 min.
total time:: 3 hrs.

About 1/2 gallon

The above photo was taken on a cruise where Mother, Aunt Mildred, Aunt Mildred’s best friend, clara and I went on. We shared a room and although we had a great time, my advice is to cough up some extra cash and get 2 rooms if four women go on a cruise together. Four women in one cruise cabin is hilarious. Does Keystone Cops ring a bell? If you are over 60 you will get the analogy. (smile)

ingredients

3 limes (including zest)
1/2 cup tequila
Red pepper flakes
1 lb great northern beans (3 16-oz cans will work ok if you don’t want to use dry beans)
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
2 large onions chopped
5 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 (4 oz) cans of green chiles
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper divided
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
6 cups defatted chicken stock (canned will work all right)
3 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
Sour cream
Chopped fresh green onions

directions

1
If using dry beans, pick over the beans and rinse them. Cover beans with water by at least 3 inches and soak the beans for 24 hours. Change the water 1 time about 12 hours after the soaking process starts.
2
Remove fat and tendons from the chicken and place the chicken breast in a container that can be covered. Zest 1 of the limes and sprinkle the lime zest over the chicken breast. Using a lemon reamer, juice all 3 limes and pour the juice over the chicken breast. Pour the tequila over the chicken and add 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken and marinate for 3 hours.
3
Heat olive oil in stock pot and add onion and saute for about 10 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic, green chilis, cumin, cayene pepper, and cloves and saute for 10 minutes.
4
Add beans and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. (If using canned beans, complete step 5 below and then add the cooked chicken and reduce simmering time.)
5
Heat grill after the chili has simmered for about 2 hours. Grill the chicken breast for 5 minutes and pour remaining marinade over the chicken breast on the grill. Turn the chicken breast and grill the second side for 4 minutes. Remove the chicken breast from the grill and cut into small cubes.
6
Add the cubed chicken and 1 cup of cheese to the chili and stir until the cheese melts.
7
Ladle into bowls and serve with remaining cheese, chopped green onions, and sour cream. Salt to taste.

notes

Aunt Mildred and Mother looked the most alike of the Brockington children and they remained the closest to each other. Aunt Mildred was like a 2nd Mother to me. I miss her terribly. Everyone should have an Aunt Mildred in their life.

Source: Marsha