White Chili w/ Cornbread

This past weekend, my mother-in-law came to visit for the weekend.  She brought her cousin along with her (we live in a tourist are of the NC mountains, so we have more guest than most).  And she loves my white chili, so being the GREAT daughter-in-law that I am (LOL), I fixed some.  Her cousin told me he had never tasted anything so good.  And talked about my soup on there 3 hour drive home.  So, since I have had rave reviews about this soup, I thought I would pass along my recipe. 

Deda's White Chili and Cornbread

 1 1/2 pds chicken
4 cups chicken broth
6 cups great northern beans
(Insert:  I perfer to cook dried beans in the chicken broth and add 2 cups more chicken broth to the soup)
 1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onion
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat broth and beans together (after beans are tender), Saute' onion and garlic in oil.  Add to beans.  Boil chicken and cut up (large or small chunks depending on your taste).  Add chicken and spices to broth and beans.  Simmer.  If you would like thicker chili, add more beans that has been blended.  Serve soup with sour cream (optional).

I double the recipe for my herd. :D

~CORNBREAD~

This is the best cornbread I have ever made!  My family can never get enough of it.  Very light and tasty.  I will include the different veriations of it.

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 to 3 tbsp sugar (adjust for your taste)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter
2 beaten eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil or melted  butter

Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Mix.  Add 1 tbsp butter in iron skillet or dish and place in 400 degree oven until melted.  Swirl butter around to coat side and bottom of pan (can use can grease too). Combine eggs, milk, and oil, add this mixture to flour mixture.  Stir just until moistened.  Pour into skillet.  Bake for 15 to 20 min.  I ussally bake it 25-30 minutes, but I am in a higher elevation.  You can double this recipe and use a 9 x 13 baking dish or stone.

DOUBLE CORN BREAD

Prepare as directed above, except fold in 1/2 cup of frozen whole kernel corn, thawed, into batter.

GREEN CHILI CORN BREAD

Prepare as directed above, except fold in 1 cup shredded cheese, and one 4 oz. can diced green chili's, drained, into batter.

Cornbread goes great with regular chili too!!!