Chili and Cornbread Spectacular

Just so you know, I would never name a party at my house "Spectacular," Kim, Ivy and Beth came up with the name when they were teasing me about my blog and so in their honor I had to use it. I also promised to post the chili recipe, so it is at the end. Mark made the cornbread this year and so no cornbread recipe to post. But this next year my test kitchen will be trying out recipes to see if they are "Chili and Cornbread Party" worthy and by next year's party, I will have one to report!

For the past several years we have hosted a small party with...what else chili and cornbread, followed by a walk through the famous Seaside Rancho Lights (about 1/2 mile from our house). The first year we had kind of a lot of people and since our house it small that can be tricky, but it was fun. The next year it rained, had to drive and not walk, not as much fun in cars.

This year we threw it all together at the very last minute and it was nice and low-key. We started early and the kids played with my cousin's little boy, David. The evening was highlighted by Madeline standing on a chair and singing Christmas carols for us, David joining her on another chair and pretending to sing, and Jack just being his usual funny little self. He really liked the Santa hat.

Here is Jack actually sitting down with Dana, my cousin. She said that she thought it was the first time he ever sat quietly with her (probably true, he is not a real sitter).

He is really into climbing into things (this isn't always good). If we leave the dishwasher or dryer open, he'll try to get in and then likes to try to close the door (the weird and dangerous part)!

Here is Ivy with Jack (Jack getting into a storage basket). Madeline just saw this picture and was a little upset. She is watching me post this and is very curious about what a "blog" is. She is not very happy that her Ivy is with Jack and she is not. She really considers Ivy all hers. Ivy is great with kids and just always seems to know what they are into at the perfect age (she works with kids). Madeline was the flower girl at Jeremiah and Ivy's wedding and she was over the moon about it. She took her responsibility very seriously. You won't believe that a bride could think to do this, but Ivy bought puppets for Madeline so she would have something to play with at the reception, who thinks of these things during their wedding? Ivy!! She also thought to buy Jack a present so he would have something to open at Madeline's birthday, his own mother (that would be me) forgot to do this. Anyway, I could go on and on about her, but we think she is wonderful (as we do Jeremiah) but Ivy is Madeline's, as far as she is concerned!

Here is David all bundled up for our walk. I did not take any pictures on the walk, sadly because the lights are amazing and the walk was great. Madeline and Jack rode in our little Radio Flyer Wagon and Jack fell asleep sitting up, Ivy has some pictures she is going to send me and I will post them.

Anyway, after the walk we all sat around and argued about what color the cat in the Smurfs is and since we happen to have about 20 episodes on our TiVo we confirmed that in fact he is brown.

Here is the recipe! Next year the theme is going to be cheesy holiday wear, the cheesier the better, so get ready!! Think Christmas sweaters, earrings that light up, a sweater that lights up, you get the idea!

Turkey Chili With White Beans

(one word of warning, I don't know if my chili was so hot because we buy our chili powder from an Indian spice market or if that is the way all chili powder is?? But now I only add about 1/8 cup of chili powder, but regular chili powder may not be that hot.)

1 TB vegetable oil

2 medium onions, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons dried cumin

1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey

1/4 cup chili powder

2 bay leaves

1 TB unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 - 28 oz can whole tomatoes

3 cups beef stock/broth

1 - 8 oz can tomato sauce

3 - 15 oz cans small white beans, rinsed, drained.

Serve on side: chopped red onions, fresh cilantro, and light sour cream.

Heat oil in heavy pan and brown the onions until light brown and tender over medium heat, about 10 minutes. Add oregano and cumin, stir for 1 minute. Increase heat to medium high and add turkey, stir until no longer pink, break up pieces with the back of a spoon. Stir in chili powder, bay leaves, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon. Add tomatoes with their juices, breaking up with the back of a spoon. Mix in stock and tomato sauce. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add beans to chili and simmer until flavors blend, about 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Serve with the onion, cilantro and sour cream!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!