White Chili with Cornbread

By á-4236

Ingredients

• Chili
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped, about 3 1/4 cups chopped onion
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped into 1/2" to 3/4" pieces; about 1 1/2 cups chopped pepper ( I used a green one)
• 1 small jalapeño pepper, diced; remove and discard seeds for milder chili ( I used half a chili)
• 1 to 4 cloves garlic (to taste), peeled and minced
• 1 pound bag frozen corn, thawed; or 3 cups fresh or frozen/thawed corn kernels ( I used a large can maybe 19 ozs of corn)
• 2 cans (4 1/2 ounces each) chopped green chiles, undrained
• 5 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey meat, white and/or dark ( I used 2 lbs of chicken breasts and flash fried them first cut into small chunks)
• 1 can (15 to 19 ounces) white beans or cannellini beans, undrained ( could have used a bit more)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin, or to taste
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 3-ounce package cream cheese ( I used about 5 ozs)
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese, optional, for topping
• I also added about 10 fl ozs of white wine
• Cornbread topping
• 1 3/4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2-ounce can chopped mild green chiles, drained
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, optional ( I used it - it was good)
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1 large egg

Preparation

Step 1

1) To make the chili: Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion, peppers, and garlic, frying until the vegetables are soft and the onions are barely beginning to turn golden, about 10 to 15 minutes.

2) Add the corn, chiles, and chicken or turkey, stirring to combine.

4) Place the beans with their liquid in a food processor or blender, and process until smooth. Add to the pan with the meat and vegetables, stirring to combine.

4) Stir in the cumin and salt ( and the wine if using!)

5) Simmer the chili slowly for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. While the chili simmers, make the cornbread topping, and start preheating the oven to 375°F.

6) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, chiles, and fresh cilantro.

7) In another bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and egg.

8) Pour the liquid all at once into the flour mixture, stirring quickly and gently until just combined. Set the batter aside while you finish the chili.

9) Add the cream cheese to the chili, stirring until it melts. Adjust the salt, if necessary.

10) Spoon the chili into a lightly greased 9" x 13" x 2"-deep pan. You'll need about 1" clearance between the chili and the top of the pan, to ensure the cornbread topping doesn't overflow. If your pan is shallower than 2", fill with chili until it comes no closer than 1" to the top. You may also divide the chili among individual serving dishes. The entire recipe makes about 8 cups of chili; if you use 2-cup capacity ramekins or bakers, spoon 1 cup chili into each.

11) Top the chili with grated cheddar cheese, if desired; then with the cornbread batter. For 8 individual ramekins or bakers, use 1/2 cup batter for each.

12) Bake the chili and cornbread for about 25 minutes, until the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean. The individual servings will bake for about 20 minutes. ( I baked it on a baking sheet top rungs int he baking oven for 25 minutes then turned it round and baked it for a further 10 minutes)

13) Remove from the oven, and serve hot or warm.

Yield: about 8 to 12 servings.