Da Bears Menu

Last Monday my husband and I hosted 15 of our friends for a night of da Bears and chili.  Since one of my friends is pregnant, another is breastfeeding, and another can't eat pork, I made two sets of chili so no one would go hungry. Here's what was served:

7 Layer Dip (by the Pioneer Woman) to start:

Giada's Chicken Chili: 

Beef and Chorizo Chili: 

***I substitute ground round for stew meat

Mac N' Cheese with Pancetta: a true crowd pleaser

(I add a few dashes of nutmeg)

Ina's Corn Muffins: equally delicious

(I add a 1/2 cup of drained sweet yellow corn to the batter)

Dessert: 

Sweet Mandy B's Cupcakes:

Lucky for me, the Bears won and the food was a hit so it was a good night had by all.  

 PC: Pioneerwoman, browniebites, green local living, bon appetit, food network, formerms

Chicken Salad Veronique

After whipping up a batch of chicken salad for lunch today, I realized that I had to share it with my readers since it's absolutely perfect for that mid-day fix or lunch.  It's so good that my husband even requests to have it in the fridge at all times. 

The recipe: Chicken Salad Veronique by none other than Ina Garten.

A word of advice: since the chicken has to roast for 45 minutes and you have to allow time for it to cool, plan ahead. 

Use low fat mayo to cut down on the fat. 

PC: Ina Garten