Imagine my surprise when my giant heirloom tomato seeds grew and grew, but did not produce anything that even resembled a tomato. Then, little green balloon-like pods started sprouting where the tomatoes were supposed to grow. It turns out my tomato seeds were actually tomatillos, and now my garden is filled with ripe bundles of joy just like this:
Surprise!
I guess
the seed gods knew it was Grubarazzi's first birthday today so they sent me
natures closest interpretation of a balloon bouquet.This strange little Mexican fruit is
delicious straight from the plant, blended in to
salsas, cooked in to chili, or fried like a green tomato.So many options so little time.
I also
despise following the rules so instead of making a cake to celebrate one year of blogging I made spicy Chicken Chili Verde instead.
Happy
birthday, Grubarazzi! You keep me feeling inspired and creative. A big thank you to everyone who has visited and commented over the last year. Without your friendship and cheers Grubarazzi would be lying in an alley somewhere, cold, shivering and alone.
Time in Kitchen: 3 hours
Servings: 10
Nutrition information per serving: 250 calories, 13
carbs, 20 grams protein, 12 grams fat, 2 grams fiber
Ingredients:
1 large red onion, peeled and quartered
7 garlic cloves
2 green bell peppers, cut lengthwise
3 jalapenos, cut lengthwise and seeded
3 fresh Anaheim chilies, cut
lengthwise
15 tomatillos, husked, cut in half
Pinch of salt
Drizzle of olive oil
3 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs,
cut into 1/2-inch pieces
5 tablespoons stone ground corn meal
Pinch of salt, oregano, cumin, and
pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
5 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 avocado, thinly sliced (for
garnish)
Directions:
Preheat
the oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chopped onions, garlic, bell peppers,
jalapenos, chilies, and tomatillos on a large baking sheet cut side down.
Drizzle with olive oil and salt. Roast on high heat for at least 20 minutes
until caramelized. Remove and allow to cool; about 10 minutes. Transfer the
roasted vegetables to the blender, blending until smooth. Set aside.
In a large Ziploc bag toss chicken
pieces with corn meal, salt, pepper, oregano and cumin until coated. Heat olive
oil in a large heavy stock pot over medium-high heat. Add half of chicken to pot
and sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat browning
process with remaining chicken. Return all of the chicken (including its
juices) to the stock pot. Add blended vegetables, chicken broth, corn, oregano,
chili powder, cumin, paprika and cinnamon to pot. Bring liquid to boil. Reduce heat
and simmer until mixture thickens and flavors blend, stirring occasionally,
about 2 hours. Season with salt throughout the cooking process to taste.
Mix cilantro into chili. Transfer to
large serving bowl. Garnish with slice avocado (or your garnish of choice) and
serve.
Happy Blog Birthday! I couldn't be happier that I found your blog. You post the most delicious-looking creations. I can't wait to try this out. Maybe with tempeh? Tomatillos are the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so glad I found yours as well. So inspiring! If you make this with tempeh it would be a much faster verde. Sounds yummy too.
DeleteLooks like something we'd make here in Texas! Yummilicious! You're so cute, did you know that?
ReplyDeleteYum! This sounds even better than the tomatillo stew I made last time. We may need to re-tool our menu for the week, since I have a choice of eggplant or tomatillo at the CSA ...
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy birthday to your blog!!! And what a coup to have a beautiful crop of tomatillos...I'd love a huge bowl of your chili verde! YUM.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog. Yummm! All the recipes look amazing can't wait to try a bunch of them! xoxo Stefanie @ http://theforwardhome.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI could just dive into that bowl!! Looks amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary! The chicken chili verde looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's been quite a fun year. This chili verde was a big hit at the house.
DeleteHappy Happy Blog Birthday! I'd love a bowl of your delicious chili verde right about NOW!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice surprise! I need to get some tomatillo seeds next year.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your blog. Your chili sounds like a perfect way to celebrate. I'll wager it is delicious. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteHappy blogerversary,,,,great chicken chili's recipe,looks delicious !!
ReplyDeleteHappy 1st Blogiversary! Tomatillos are so pretty to look at (and photograph) and even taste nice in chili verde. I can't take too spicy but I still enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your blog anniversary! I adore tomatillo sauces. What a treat to find them in your garden. I hope you weren't too disappointed not to have tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteWe love chili and this Chicken Chili Verde will definitely make my family happy!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary! Better late than never, right??? Hugs! More power to you and to your blog!
I love Chicken Chili Verde! It's definitely one of my fav chili's and your looks incredible! Have a fabulous weekend!
ReplyDelete