A Quiet Night In

We had a fun evening spent at home this evening. I made a yummy supper consisting of White Bean Chili and Homemade Cornbread. I am attaching the recipe for the chili because it was super easy, pretty cheap, and yummy! I found it on Paula Dean's section of the Food Network site. And if you have a canister of cornmeal sitting around, then you will have the cornbread recipe on the back. I do have to say that homemade is sooooo much better than any of those pre-made boxes or packets that you can buy.

White Bean Chili

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3/4 cup diced onion
• 1 1/2 cups chopped green chiles (fresh or canned)
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 to 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped

Rinse beans well, cover with cool water, and soak for 2 hours. Drain. Place beans in large pot with chicken stock and bring to a boil over high heat. In a saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and chiles and saute for 5 minutes. Add chile mixture to pot with beans. Add chicken, cumin, oregano, pepper, white pepper, red pepper flakes, and cilantro. Lower heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 1 1/2 hours. Serve with cornbread, if desired.

I also spent some time working on some Christmas gifts tonight for some of my co-workers. I made a batch of homemade hot chocolate mix and put them in decorated canning jars for gift giving. I found the idea on Little Birdie Secrets. This site is chalked full of great ideas, if you need some. I check it daily! The hot chocolate is yummy too...hubby and I tested it out this evening.

Here are my goodies all ready to go for tomorrow.

I feel great to have those finished and ready to go!