In the Kitchen of...Courtney Bennett

Hey, good lookin'. Whatcha got cookin'? 

"Chicken Taco Chili" Courtney Bennett would say. 

But, first off. How cute are these cookies that she made for the SUNDAE Desserts activity? She didn't disappoint when it came to the pink treats. And get this: she simply used a strawberry cake mix. Click here for the recipe which I found on Courtney's Pinterest.

Alright, now for the heart-warming stuff. The recipe sounds super easy! And an easy way to use up some of your canned good that your mom might've given you as a going-away gift...that you still haven't used! C'mon ladies. 

Chicken Taco Chili
Servings: 10 • Size: 1 1/4 cups 
Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g  • Protein: 16.9 g

Ingredients: 

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can black beans (16 oz)
• 1 can kidney beans (16 oz)
• 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
• Package frozen corn kernels (10 oz)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes w/chilies (14.5 oz)
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions: 

Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. (credit). 

But, that's not all. To complete the meal, Courtney made some whole grain cornbread! How good do these little puppies look? 

What's even cooler is that the whole grain flour that Courtney used to make these was actually ground up by her cousin and given to her. I wish I had a wheat-grinding cousin. 

Whole Wheat Sweet Cornbread

Ingredients

• 1 cup sifted whole wheat flour
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup canola oil

Instructions

1. Mix together whole wheat flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder.
2. Add egg, milk, and oil.
3. Mix together until the dry ingredients are “wet.”
4. Scoop into muffin greased cups or pour into greased loaf pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees.
6. Muffins bake for 20 minutes, bread bakes for about 45 minutes. Cornbread is done when the top is golden yellow.

Now here's Courtney's health tip for the week: Shop at Winco! She was emphatic about the great deals they have on whole grains. Here's her with her bags of whole grain rice and pasta! 

She also says it's helped her to buy foods that require some preparation. When she has to prepare the food, it usually turns out healthier than if it was grab-n-go. Very sound advice! 

Plus, check out her Pinterest. She was not kidding when she said she has phenomenal food pins. 

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. –Timothy 6:8