I had such a good time last night at my friend Courtney’s Cooking Club. This is our second time getting together, and it’s nice to get to know everyone a little bit better, as going in I only knew Courtney.
It was tough eating and cooking in these conditions, but we made due. Ha! Courtney’s house is so beautiful – if anyone in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago needs help with designing or decorating, let me know and I’ll pass her info on to you.
Julie was our cooking demonstrator for the night and made a chunky chicken chili, which was unlike any other chicken chili I’ve ever had and it was delicious. So spicy flavorful! But first we started out with Fall Sangria and appetizers – my mini pretzel bowls with cheddar cheese soup and Courtney’s Mom made bacon, tomato avocado lettuce wraps. I was really happy with how my appetizer turned out – we actually didn’t even need the tiny spoons, because after they sat for just a bit, some of the soup got absorbed into the pretzel roll and you could just pop it in your mouth – delicious at room temp too!
She walked us through the recipe – she’s gluten free so she tossed the chicken in gluten free flour, but other than that, she followed the recipe below. Although she says she does “eyeball” the recipe – if it seems too thick she’ll add some more chicken broth. This is a great make ahead recipe too because it would freeze well! Can you see all that peppery spicy goodness?!
Ha, I just noticed that my insulin pen was right next to my plate – klassy! All the food was delicious. Tina (another food blogger!) made a crusted butternut squash and pine nut dish that was amazing – I told her I had never eaten butternut squash by itself, I’ve had it in chili, etc., but it was delish. Lindsay made a healthier version of Chicken Divan using quinoa – again super delicious. And Catherine made an almost cake like corn bread that was melt in your mouth delicious. And last, but not least, Mary Beth made Pioneer Woman’s Knock you Naked Brownies. I brought that home and Hannah and Jacob gave it two giant big thumbs up.
What an enjoyable evening. I love how food brings people together and it doesn’t matter if you’ve just met or known each other for years – our love of food makes us instant friends, and I thank Courtney for including me in this Cooking Club. Looking forward to #3 in December!
Alright, I guess I have to get ready for work. Is it 5:00 yet?! Make it a great day!
I love white chicken chili, might have to make that one, but not as spicy because I’ma gringo when it comes to spicy. I used to belong to a “cooking light”( the magazine) cooking club when I was in my 20’s and it was fun. I’d love to find another one around here. I’m going to send u a FB message about our upcoming trip.
I made the chili for Halloween, delicious recipe!
I saw it on Facebook and I loved seeing all the flecks of pepper in it – yum! I actually was given 3 meals from Blue Apron this week that is arriving on Wednesday, otherwise I would have put that on my menu too 😀
I would love to know where Courtney got her pineapple picture in the kitchen!
Here is the link to where she got it – let me know if you need more info though and I’ll ask her.
http://a-life-from-scratch.com/a-kitchen-peek-framebridge/
The cooking club night looks wonderful. So many yummy looking dishes. I love when you can try lot of different things. I would love to have a cookie exchange but alas, not enough people in my circle who cook.
That’s so sad Kym, if you were my neighbor I’d pick you up and take you with me 😀
The cooking club looks like a ton of fun. Glad you are part of it! You are killing me with that appetizer, I need to find the motivation and opportunity to make it. I’ll be Pinning this chili recipe, yummy! Happy weekend.
I may be coming to Oak Park on Sunday – if so, I’ll bake off the pretzel bowls, so that way all you’d have to do is make the soup – which is the easy part. I’ll keep you posted!
You’re the best! If you have time let’s go for a walk or grab a beer.
Um, pretty sure grab a beer is the better alternative – and turns out Sunday is my rest day 😛
I love those little soup bowls you brought!! Definitely making that Chili, looks delicious!
Thanks Jan! 😀
love love love the recap! I’m so glad you do this, I love seeing all the awesome photos you took. Thanks Beth, so much fun!
Thanks Courtney for being a great hostess! 😀 I had 10 blog readers make Julie’s chili over the Halloween weekend and everyone gave it two big spicy thumbs up! You’ll have to let Julie know when you see her.
What fun! Everything looks fantastic! I had to laugh at your ‘insulin pen’ comment – because I noticed the balled-up napkin on the other side of the plate! I call my husband ‘napkin-man’ because he leaves them everywhere! Have a great weekend 🙂
Ha, I didn’t even notice my balled up napkin – love!
I just made copies of that brownie recipe last week and sent it too all my friends. Hoping to see it in my future and declare it vegan cheatworthy lol. Happy Friday.
Just the smell of those brownies were incredible!
What a lovely evening and the food looks so delicious!
When I see this, I miss my old cooking club but I don’t know enough people around me that love to cook. I even searched online if there was something around where I live but no luck.
Aw, that’s too bad that you don’t have a group of cooks near you!
A cooking club? Now, that sounds like fun! Perhaps, this is something else I should consider for my creative and social outlets since I’ve been stepping outside my box these days.
Not sure you could squeeze in another club Suzi! 😀
Cooking Club sounds so fun! And Courtney’s house is gorgeous!
I think I’m putting the chicken chili on my menu next week! Sounds delicious!
It’s hard to believe she has two small boys living in that house too! 😀 I’ve had about 10 people email me that they made that chili over the weekend for Halloween – it got thumbs up all the way around.
Everything looks so great! I wish I lived closer so I could go too! LOL
Finally going to the Dr. this am for my cough! (aren’t you happy about that!)
Working from home, I’ll call you later
Me too Jenn! That would be so much fun 😀