Minggu, 31 Juli 2011

Southwest Rotisserie Chicken Chili: two-time 1st Place winner

 Southwest Rotisserie Chicken Chili
with Fresh Squeezed Lime and Sour Cream

Chili was a world I started exploring a few years ago when I got a vacuum sealer.  (oh how I heart my sealer)  Hubby loved gobbling up a bowl in the winter and I loved experimenting with different varieties. I could make a huge batch and freeze it in 2-people servings.  We could have chili for months with the mess for only 1 afternoon.


Along that same time my sis started hosting a chili cook-off.  She usually has about 12 competitors.  I have taken 2nd palce for my frito-pie chili ((hungry just thinking about it)) and won 1st place with my Southwest Rotisserie Chicken Chili.


Last night we had a chili cook-off to celebrate my friend Rob's return to the USA after being away on a film for 8 months.  We had three entries....Steve P.'s beef chili, Steve K.'s turkey chili, and my Southwest Rotisserie Chicken Chili.  All the chili's were amazingly good.  When the scores were added up......I came in first with 25, Steve K. in second with 24 and Steve P came in 3rd with 19.  As you can see it was a close match!

Let's get cooking!!!!
 Makes 18 servings!

What is the secret???  Salsa Verde and Fresh Squeezed Lime.

Ingredients:
Rotisserie Chicken - Large
3 large Onions - chopped
6 Cloves Garlic - crushed
2 Carrot - chopped
6 Peppercorns
1 Palm Full of Italian Seasoning 
8 Cups of Water
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Can Tomatillas - 12oz.
2 Cans Chopped Tomatoes - 14oz.
1 Can Diced Green Chilies - 7 oz.
1 Tablespoon Oregano
1 Teaspoon Ground Corrianader
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1 Jar Salsa Verde
1 Tub Fresh Garlic Salsa
4 Ears Fresh Corn
2 Cans White Beans (great northern) - 15 oz.
Salt and Pepper
On Hand: 1 Can of Chicken Stock
Toppings: Fritos, Cheese, Chopped Onion, Sour Cream, Lime


Begin with a large size rotisserie chicken.  Remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin and any strings.

 Chop the chicken into small pieces and set aside.


Make the stock.  Place the bones, 1 large chopped onion with the skins, carrots, 2 cloves crushed garlic, Italian seasoning and peppercorns into a medium stock pot.  Cover with 8 cups of water.


Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for 2 hours.  Strain the bones and vegetables from the stock.  Let the stock cool for about 30 min and skim the fat from the top of the pot.


 In a large soup pot, saute 2 chopped onions and the remaining garlic in vegetable oil.  Stir and cook until the onions are soft and semi-translucent.


 Chop one can of tomatillas and add to the pot. Discard any liquid.


 Add two cans of chopped tomatoes to the pot.


 Add one can of chopped green chilies. 


The herb measurements are only a start.  I like to taste along the way and add a little more.  If you make the day before (which I suggest) then you might want to add a little more spice the next day.


 Add the 4 cups of the stock as prepared in step 3 and the herbs to the pot.


 Add Salsa Verde and Garlic Salsa.


 Remove the corn from the cob by slicing the kernels downward.  Discard the cobs and add the corn to the pot.

 If you are using canned beans, rinse them twice before adding to the pot.  Once they are added to the pot, carefully stir the chili so you don't break the beans.  Broken beans can make a mushy chili.


Add the chopped chicken to the pot.


Add salt and pepper, simmer for 4 hours on low.  If you are making ahead of time, cool completely before placing in the fridge.  The next day, if needed, add a can of chicken stock to the chili.  Add more herbs and salt/pepper.

Serve with a teaspoon of sour cream and fresh lime.


 Other toppings or chili mix-ins: Fritos, Cheese, Chopped Onion, Sour Cream, Lime.

 

Jumat, 29 Juli 2011

Kitchen Tools: Hand Juicers

Nothing better than fresh squeezed Orange Juice.  We are blessed to have fruit bearing trees in the neighborhood that produce so many oranges that if you pick them and squeeze them then the juice is yours for free!  We have a huge avocado tree that produces more fruit than you cold eat in a lifetime so we swap avocados for lemons, oranges, figs, plums and tomatoes.  Pretty good deal!


I love my hand juicer!  I have a smaller one for lemons and limes and it is equally as good.  This one I bought at a Mexican grocery store for $9.00.  I have seen them at Sur La Table and Amazon has some too.  The lime squeezer works great for making cocktails.


You can get so much juice from an easy press.

I also heart my Kitchen Aid non-electric juicer.  I can't find this exact style for sale anywhere.....???  Odd cause it is a good one.  Lots of other styles on the market that are similar.  Target has one by OXO.  This style works good for large over-sized oranges.

Oh man.....those sliced oranges are making me thirsty!

Studio TMLS II Elite Model Look


We are super happy to announce that Studio TMLS partnered with us for this year’s Elite Model Look competition. They kindly supplied all the shoes for our Grand Final event, which all looked great with the amazing clothes the girls wore. The girls spent the week practising catwalk training in the shoes as well, and Elite would like to recommend that not only are Studio TMLS great for day to eveningwear but they are also super-duper for castings and our models loved them! Taking its inspiration from the lavish opulence of 1970s Marrakech, the Studio TMLS SS11 collection features towering wedge sandals, wooden flats in supple leather, suede and luxurious python. A rich, oriental colour palette ranging from burnt orange, ochre, and vibrant coral pinks to brushed gold and silver is offset by juxtaposing muted Saharan-sand tones. Simple yet bold geometric patterns are presented with a sense of modernity and edge, with dramatic studding and chain embellishment running throughout the collection. With more than 20 years of experience in the shoe industry Studio TMLS combines an extreme dedication to design, trend and hard work. Designed in London and produced in the brand’s homeland: Brazil, Studio TMLS is the answer to the modern woman’s desire to look her best at all times.





Tune in or DVR - DIY Network - 3 episodes of Creative Juice - Monday Mornings



Get Your Creative Juice Fix.....
3 episodes of Creative Juice - Monday Mornings!


August 1, 2011
Mornings - Check your local times

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In The Kitchen
Brownie Bowls with Chocolate Mousse
Fruit Pizza

Crafty Fun
Tooth Fairy Pillows

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Episode 601:
Plastic Fantastic
Visit our Facebook Page for all the instructions!

Jewelry Projects
Shrink Plastic Jewelry
Vinyl Flower Pins

Home Crafts
Oil Cloth Table Runners
Silverware Caddy and Napkin Rings
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Episode 603:
Rock Out

For the Home
Modern Pebble Painting


In The Garden
Growing Lucky Bamboo
Stepping Stones

Sips and Nips
Cocktails on the Rocks

Rabu, 27 Juli 2011

Egle, Marinet & Hannah Hardy II Turkish Vogue






Oh wow. We are speechless, not one, not two but three of our absolute faves are gracing the pages of this months Turkish Vogue. The bright colour blocking is bang on trend and the girls look a dream. We adore.

Photography: Cuneyt Akeroglu


Minggu, 24 Juli 2011

Giveaway! 101 Tees and tons of Crafty Supplies!

We have a Winner!!! 
Corey said...
I love the purple one with the white ruffle!!



101 Tees hits the bookshelves on August 2nd!  To celebrate, I am giving-away signed copies, crafty goodies and Hot Glue Gun Helper finger caps.  Visit this link to view all the posts about the book!





 sneak peek!

Can't wait for the book?
You can find it here....