Recipes: Chicken Corn Chowder with Roasted Poblano Peppers

 

 

POBLANO CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER

This is one of my favorite Fall recipes.  It's a great dish to serve to a large group and also have enough leftover to freeze for those cold winter days. The poblanos are just a little bit hot, but add an interesting dimension of flavor.  

In the last couple of years, we have started a yearly chicken corn chowder party tradition! About 10 of us gather right after Thanksgiving, have a big bowl of hot soup, homemade ginger snap cookies and hot buttered rum -  then we set up and decorate my Christmas tree together.













































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CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER WITH POBLANO PEPPERS:

This recipe makes about 25 cups of soup, so you may want to cut it back if you aren't trying to serve a small army. :)

3 - 4 poblano chilies: roasted, peeled and seeded (The more seeds left behind, the hotter the soup.)
6 chicken breasts: baked whole at 350º until cooked through, about 20 minutes, then cut into chunks
2 yellow onions: cut into a medium dice
6 - 8 carrots: peeled and sliced (I like them sliced into medium sized diagonal coins)
3 russet or 5 new potatoes: peeled and cut into a large dice
3 cans or 3 1# bags of frozen corn: (or 6-8 ears of fresh corn, cut off the cob)

1.5C white wine
12C chicken stock
1.5t cayenne 
2T cumin
3T brown sugar
3T chopped cilantro plus some for garnish
Sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste

1: Heat oven to 500º. Place whole poblanos in oven and roast until skin blisters and pulls away from the flesh of the pepper. (If you have a gas range, you can also roast the peppers by placing them directly on the burners. Turn them with tongs until they are evenly blackened.)  Place roasted peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let sweat in bowl for 30 minutes.

2: Peel the skin off the peppers, remove the stems and seeds. Rinse them a bit in cool water and dry them on a paper towel.  Chop the peppers into 1" squares.

3: Heat oil in a large stock pot. Add onions, carrots and a couple pinches of salt and pepper.  Cook on medium heat until slightly browned.  Add chopped peppers and stir.

4:  Deglaze pan with white wine and chicken stock. Add chicken, potatoes, corn and spices and sugar.

5:  Simmer for 25 minutes or so until the potatoes are soft.  Add the cilantro and adjust salt and pepper.

6: Ladle delicious soup into bowls and top with sour cream and sprigs of cilantro.

YUM!!

Chopped Roasted Poblanos

 

 

 

The guys love it!

 

Cooking away in the pot!

Awesome guys putting the tree together

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Wedding Day Emergency Kit

 

 

 

12 ITEMS TO PRE-PACK THAT JUST MAY SAVE THE DAY:

 

1: A FIRST AID KIT - You can pick up little cute ones at Target or Dollar General that have Band-Aids, Neosporin, and alcohol wipes.

2: MARKERS - A couple Sharpies and a giant black poster marker.

3: A SEWING KIT - Get one with buttons and a needle. Also, easy to find at Target and Dollar General.

4: SAFETY PINS - You really have no idea how essential a safety pin is until you need just that. 

5: BOBBY PINS - Another essential that just can't be done without when you need one!

6: BATTERIES - AAA and AA - just 4 of each should do it. For remotes, cameras, light meters, etc.

7: GUM AND/OR MINTS - There will be a lot of close talking, kissing and hugging going on that day!

8: FLOSS AND A TOOTHBRUSH - Again, all that kissing and closeness. It's nice to be able to freshen up.

9: TAPE - Duct and/or Masking. Great for signs, decorations and many other unexpected last minute things.

10: STRING - Just twine will work in a pinch. Again, great for decorations.

11: AN EXTRA PAIR OF TIGHTS/STOCKINGS/HOSE - Nothing can de-class a look faster than runs in your hose.

12: COMFORTABLE SHOES - At the end of a long day, you may want to dance and kick off those 5 inch heels. A nice pair of dressy flats can really save the day!

 

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Inspiration: Heavy Metals

My favorite trend this year is metallics.  Let's look at all the applications of this color scheme, in fashion, home design and of course, weddings! Enjoy.

 

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Places We Love in Kansas City : River Market Event Place

RIVER MARKET EVENT PLACE  
140 Walnut St  Kansas City, MO 64106 map
(816) 591-4346
RMEP Website
OVERVIEW AND LAYOUT:

This is a lovely modern venue in the City Market area of downtown Kansas City. It is an open, multi-level space with beautiful wooden walls, several floor to ceiling garage doors that open when needed and a great looking, working fireplace.

The space is open with several levels which is nice to look at but is also conducive to a ceremony/reception set up. For instance, you could stage the ceremony in front of the fireplace. Then, afterwards, you could invite the guests to the mezzanine area for cocktails and receiving line while the room is "flipped"  (the chairs are moved and the tables and buffet are set up for dinner).

They can comfortably seat 175 guests inside or 225 inside with mixed seating or outdoor tent on the parking area in front. The space is available 7 days a week for events.

             Excellent view of the beautiful windows, wooden slat wall and versatile mezzanine level up the steps.

                   The mezzanine level without any decoration, flowers or linens is already simple and elegant.
                                   Just perfect for an after ceremony cocktail and passed appetizers!

                              Modern benches seat several guests. Very inviting especially when the fire is going                                                                         strong at the end of the evening at a cozy fall wedding.

I love this picture from INK KC because it really shows the versatility of the space.  The multiple levels allow for these guests to both watch and participate by showering the new couple with petals or confetti. The wood is also a beautiful backdrop that needs little or no additional decoration.

Check out this wonderful INK KC Article which features the River Market Event Space.


FEATURES:




- The fireplace is wood-burning, clean and fully operational. Guests are welcome to use it if they choose.

- There is a very large tree limb chandelier with exposed bulbs that hangs in the center of the room and is a permanent fixture in the space.

- They have several attractive wooden accent tables that come with the space and can be used for the buffet or guest book/gift table.

- There are several cool, industrial garage doors that can be opened if desired.

- PA system is included with one large speaker that can be hooked up to an iPod or laptop.

 

Bridal nest is cozy and has plenty of seating and great light to touch up makeup!

- They have a "bridal nest" which can be used as a dressing room. It is a balcony space on the second floor which provides a great view of the festivities.

- Tables and chairs are provided for up to 175 guests. Additional tables and chairs can be ordered, but are charges additionally at $8 per table and $2.25 per chair. The chairs are wooden white folding chairs and the tables can be ordered in any shape or size you prefer.

- A tidy, nicely outfitted kitchen with a large refrigerator, oven, stove-top, running water, microwave and dishwasher



-Gorgeous wooden slat walls have magnetic metal strips running along the length of them to facilitate hanging decorations or pictures!

- Two inviting, clean, modern bathrooms

- Plenty of free guest parking nearby.

- The City Market atmosphere is cool and urban but the space has a certain private, tucked away kind of feel as well.


PRICES:

Here is the price guide copied directly from their site.

We would love to hear about your experiences at this cool event space!  Please share your stories and pictures!!

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Places We Love in Kansas City : The Guild Event Space

 

THE GUILD
1621 Locust Street  Kansas City, MO 64108   map
(816) 471-8550 
Manager: Neile Hite
 
info@theguildkc.com
The Guild Website

OVERVIEW AND LAYOUT:

The space is simple and open and has outstanding architectural features that make a wonderful backdrop for an eclectic, upscale event. They can facilitate about 150 seated guests comfortably.

Most of the walls are covered with fresh, bright, white subway tile and the awesome arched barrel ceiling is made of rustic looking weathered wood. There are many cool details throughout the space, like the enormous glass chandelier, hand painted signage on the doors and the cool glass light fixtures on the walls that make it feel special and nostalgic. The natural beauty and artistic charm of the space makes decorating very easy.

They provide a great deal of party furniture such as tables and black folding chairs and will include set up in the cost of the space rental. Another great feature of the space is the back outdoor space which is basic fenced in grassy area but could be turned into a very beautiful alternative party space for a reception.

                           Floor to ceiling windows in front let in beautiful late afternoon/evening light. 

         
                                                           Front door with cool eye painting logo.

                                                             Pretty windows on the back entrance

    I love these light fixtures which are on walls throughout the space!

                        Gorgeous and enormous chandelier that hangs in the center of the space.




                        Guild Garden: The outdoor area which can be rented and customized to your event.




                                        Floor plan of the event space, parking and garden area.


FEATURES:

•  Beautiful architectural details. Enormous crystal chandelier acts as a centerpiece of the room. 
  

• Attractive wooden bar with exposed brick.
  

• Clean, bright subway tile on the walls gives the space a very chic feeling.
  

• Bathrooms are clean and very pretty.
  

• One floor layout is easy access for elderly, children and handicapped guests
  

• Very open space with few limitations allows for flexible set up.
  

• Tables, chairs and limited linens are included with the space which cuts down on rental costs. They also set up and tear down all the tables and chairs so your party staff will have less to do.
  

•  They include one security guard with the space rental. 

• Features on their website:
  
  

  - 5 Hours Event Time
  - 30 (60”) round tables
  - 250 chairs
  - Built in bar
  - Glassware
  - Catering Prep area
  - Facility Manager
  - Located in the Crossroads Arts District
  - Two blocks from the Power & Light District and Sprint Center
  - 5000 sq ft floor plan
  - 20 ft High ceilings
  - 12 ft High windows
  - High Polished Original Concrete Floors  
  - One uniformed security guards for duration of event  

Prices for space rental are available by request. Contact them at (816) 471-8550 or info@theguildkc.com.

 Please share with us your experiences and photos of this wonderful space!

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