Friday, January 10, 2014

Food for Thought


 {Distillery at Woodford Reserve}

Your relationship is not supposed to be perfect all the time, your business is not supposed to do well all the time, your soufflés are not supposed to raise perfectly all the time.  Everything is designed to go wrong so that you can gain the skills of rediscovering your tracks, even in difficult or frightening circumstances. Especially in difficult and frightening circumstances. 

~Martha Beck

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Thursday, January 9, 2014

White Chicken Chili

I've been making this recipe for a few months now, and I finally got it to taste how I wanted it!  The recipe I based mine on was very watery although the beans weren't dried.  Then all it needed was some different spices and caramelization because it was pretty bland before.  And viola--delicious recipe born!!!

{White Chicken Chili with toppings and cornbread}

{Caramelize the onions, garlic and peppers for more flavor!}

{Mix the taco seasoning}

{Saute the spices to draw more flavors out}

{Add chicken and beans to the crock-pot}

{De-glaze the pan with white wine}

{Add evaporate milk to create the sauce}

{Place everything in a crock-pot}

{Cook on low for  6-8 hours}


White Chicken Chili

Serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 green peppers, diced
4 oz green chiles
2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (can substitute store bought seasoning)
1/2 cup white wine
1 can evaporated milk
1 pound chicken breast, boneless and skinless
2 cans Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Toppings like cilantro, green onions, sour cream, and cheese
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet until hot.
  2. Add onions, peppers, and chiles cooking until browned on the edges.
  3. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add taco seasoning and cook for 2 minutes.
  5. De-glaze pan with white wine.
  6. Add evaporated milk and stir to combine.
  7. Combine pepper mixture, chicken and beans in a crock-pot.
  8. Cook on low for 8 hours.
  9. Take chicken out and shred, and then add back to the chili.
  10. Serve with optional toppings.
Do you like the new(ish) look?  I added some features on the left side and rearranged.  Plus, I didn't know that my links to my Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram page where not working!  It's all fixed now though.  Also, did a little blog title change because everything has "a" in it so I might as well use it, right?

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Taco Seasoning

I've never been a big fan of pre-packaged food especially spice mixes.  I heard somewhere that they contain silica (yes-that's the same ingredient in those drying packs you find in bags and shoes when you purchase them from the store) which prevents moisture from degrading the spices.  It's not hard fact, but I don't chance it.  I came up with my own taco seasoning mix from spices I had on hand.

 {The different spices that go into taco seasoning}

 
{Mixed together and ready to use!}

Taco Seasoning

Makes 2 tablespoons (or enough for 1 meal)

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  1. Mix all ingredients together.
  2. Use in Mexican-inspired dishes like fajitas and tacos.
Do you have a signature spice mix that you make?  I've also been dabbling into a Cajun spice mix which is almost perfect and will be shared in due time!

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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

2013 Year in Review and a Look into 2014

What is it about a new year that spurs everyone into such change?  The fresh start perhaps?  Girl Eats World is no exception to this phenomenon!


So first things first--evaluation of 2013's goals:

On Fridays, I will be posting "Food for Thought".  These topics can range from anything regarding food like showing caloric values on restaurant menus like California does to a motivational quote that has made me think or sharing updates.  I'm very excited for this expansion!  COMPLETED!  Although I didn't really start posting regularly until later in the year.  At least I did start, and I will continue in 2014.

Secondly, I have re-vamped my Spice It UP!!! series; the last week of the month, I will be featuring a spice or ingredient and linking it to recipes that I have made.  COMPLETED!  I posted these on the first/first week of the month, but no matter.  I did miss two months last year.  If anyone has any suggestions for topics, I'm all ears!  I will continue this in 2014.

I will also be concentrating more on actual meals.  I realized that I have done mostly desserts which although delicious, definitely contributed to my clothes feeling a bit snug at the moment.  COMPLETED!  I believe that I have been very good about staying away from desserts and focusing more on meals.  In fact, it helped greatly that I began to utilize my crock-pot more than ever before.   I will continue this in 2014.

I will be limiting myself to two dessert recipes a month that have healthy nutritional value (yes--chocolate has nutritional value!) for my waistline and yours!  COMPLETED!  I have noticed that I am much more selective in what I make for desserts since I don't make as many.  I will continue this in 2014.

I will be maintaining a consistent posting schedule of at least 3 posts per week, typically Monday, Wednesday, and Friday barring holidays. COMPLETED!  I have actually increased my posting to 5 days a week (whew!).  I will continue this in 2014.

I am so happy with how 2013 has seen this blog grow!  I have been thinking long and hard about 2014.  I am happy with my posts and their frequency so now is the time to work on the details!

2014 Goals for Girl Eats World
  1. Work on my food photography
  2. Grow my blog's followers
  3. Guest post and host some guest posters! (email me at girleatsworld1@yahoo.com if you are interested!)
Only 3?!  Yup--I'm focusing this year to those three!  I know the my food photography is not the best; I'm still trying to find my style.  Plus, I have no natural light to work with....  It's an opportunity!  For what I don't know yet but positive attitude and lots of research and practice, practice, practice! 

On a personal note, I think this year I will be focusing on my relationships--all of them!  I was so shocked to learn recently that two members of my family are DEATHLY afraid of heights.  I have known one all of my life, and the other a good part of my life.  How could I not know that?  Plus my brother is coming home this year (WOOT!) which will be exciting because my family has never lived so close together.  I am excited for the fun and adventures that we will have! 

What are your goals for 2014?  I'd love to hear them!

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