Cure for the Monday Blues

As most people will agree, Mondays can be hard to deal with. It's back to the grind of school, work and errand running that often consumes our lives. This one in particular was hard to deal with. I didn't get a good night's sleep and it was a gloomy, rainy morning. 

Fall is fast approaching in the South and it teases us on occasion. My favorite things about this time of year are football, all the pumpkin-flavored items that appear in stores and enjoying a good chili or soup to warm the bones. I decided since the weather was gloomy and the air was a bit chillier today - it was the perfect time to make chili and a fresh pan of cornbread.

Average rating 4.5 from 39 reviews I went with an old favorite from Better Homes and Gardens, Spicy White Chili. It has a bit of spice and is not the tradition chili you normally think of. Just a way to mix things up and shake off the Monday blues.

 

Spicy White Chili

Makes: 8 to 10 servings

Start to Finish: 50 mins

• 2 cups chopped onions
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 4 1/2 ounce can diced green chiles
• 3 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3  15 ounce can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2  14 1/2 ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 5 cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
• 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers, shredded

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven cook onions and garlic in hot oil over medium-high heat for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until tender. Stir in green chiles, chili powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute. Mash one can of the beans. Add all beans and broth to ingredients in Dutch oven. Bring to simmering. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the turkey; cook about 10 minutes, until heated. Stir in cheese until melted.

Enjoy the recipe and I'll share another one soon that includes chorizo sausage instead of beef. 
It's also a good choice when you want chili, but you want to change things up.

Until next time - Happy Monday and find something that warms your soul and share it with everyone you love.