Today I wanted to tell you about a documentary that I watched featuring classic Jackie Kennedy style, a delicious white bean chili, cute centerpiece you can make from Trader Joe’s bulb plants and a great French style book that I just received.
It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy!
Spring Bulb Centerpiece From Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s has bulb garden plants. I bought two and placed them on a tray and added Preserved Super Moss to the bases.
Here they are blooming on Day Five.
What To Cook: White Chicken Chili
I’ve made a version of white chicken chili in the past, but the other night Mercedes’ chili was exceptional so I wanted to share the NYTimes recipe with you.
White Bean Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 1 large jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs removed and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika or chili powder
- pinch of cayenne to taste
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 15 oz cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 4 oz cans diced green chiles
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken from one rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
- half a lime, plus wedges for serving
- Shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, pickled jalapeño slices, diced avocado, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and jalapeño and cook, stirring often, until the onions are tender, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth, cannellini beans and diced green chiles with their liquid; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the broth has reduced by about half, 18 to 20 minutes. Off the heat, use a wooden spoon to mash some of the beans against the side of the pot. Continue mashing the beans until the broth is noticeably thicker.
- Return the pot to medium, stir in the chicken and corn, and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Juice the lime half over the pot, then taste for seasonings and add more salt, black pepper, and cayenne, if desired.
- Serve the chili in bowls topped as you like with a lime wedge, shredded cheese, pickled jalapeños, diced avocado, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, and/or crushed tortilla chips.
You may also like Make-ahead Fall Dinner Party With Two Beef Chili.
What To Watch: Jackie, A Tale Of Two Sisters on Amazon Prime
I enjoyed this 45 minute documentary featuring Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her younger sister, Lee. Jackie was/is a fashion icon and it’s interesting to learn how her father’s taste in fine clothes influenced her.
Jackie Inspired Wardrobe Staples
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wore “minimally chic wardrobe staples” such as a pearl necklace, ballet flats and loafers, oversized sunglasses, three-quarter length sleeves, cropped jackets/cardigans, shift dresses and white slacks.
I often find myself gravitating to these basics.
A Year in the French Style: Interiors & Entertaining by Antoinette Poisson
Our son and his new wife Mona are visiting. They brought me this book and I cannot put it down. The block printed wallpaper and fabric designs derived from antique prints is so inspiring.
The floral designs are lovely and they also have menus for entertaining on the French coast of Brittany. This is a great gift for any Francophile.
Quality Persian Rugs
Mona and Tommy also brought a beautiful Persian handwoven rug to me that I bought for an exceptionally low price from her parents. Mona’s father has an extraordinary collection of Persian rugs that he imported many years ago when they fled persecution in Iran.
Mona is going to sell these high quality rugs for way below market value to “clear out their family’s guest room”…meaning it could be a great deal for YOU. I will let you know as soon as the online shop is open.
Meanwhile, you can check out their instagram: Orientalrugs_ “Persian rugs: a timeless blend of art and heritage, weaving centuries of tradition into every intricate detail.”
MY gorgeous new rug has inspired a whole living room refresh! TBA.
That’s Jackie Kennedy style, white chicken chili, bulb flower centerpieces and more. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
No backlash. Anxious to see the online store when it’s up.
Made the white bean chicken chili last night and it was fabulous! Does take a little bit of time/prep but is sooo easy! Thank you!!! Winner, winner!
Chief loves his new rug … so do I, he has the best taste. Love seeing spring bulbs in the stores … I’m going to copy your centerpiece. Thanks for the heads up on the Jackie / Lee documentary … can’t wait to watch. xo.
I love your new rug, Mary Ann! I started following Mona’s rug account! I want one!
xxoo
Hi Mary Ann,
You always take the ordinary and turn it into extraordinary. The Trader Joe’s bulbs are pretty, so much fun watching the bulbs come alive.
Your new rug is beautiful, the colors will be practical to not show the dirt. Your little guy Chief looks like he approves.
Oh, I love that rug with its vibrant colours. I went from a colourful rug to a cream with grey/taupe about four years ago. I’m not liking it or the chairs I purchased but with the cost of all three I will need to live with them for a bit more.
I’m printing out that chicken chili recipe! It’s sounds delicious with lots of zing.
I’m going to vacation in Florida in three weeks. I’m not sure how to dress. I know it will be warm but how do I interject winter like vibes?
Hmmm. In three weeks it could warm up. You are safe with layers like jeans and sweaters and perhaps a light jacket. We have a group post coming up about white jeans in winter with sweaters. That would work!
I’m packing my off white jeans with a three quarter sleeve sweater in the same hue. I thought I would need some pants and some shorts, some light sweaters and sleeveless tops for day. Warm days & cool evenings? We will be down by Ft Myers.
Already checked out Mona’s IG and the rugs look beautiful. Can’t wait to read more when you have the details!
They have a lot of pretty ones.
I look forward to your posts every Sunday. This was an especially good one!
Thanks Allison!!
I’m anxious to see how you decorate around the beautiful new rug! I inherited one with similar colors and I’m struggling since it’s a huge color change from everything in my house.
Stay tuned!
Gorgeous rug Mary Ann your dog looks so content! Love the TJ bulbs too just what we need. And the gorgeous chilli sounds perfect thank you. Happy week!
So fun to watch the arrangement change day to day!
Love, love the new rug! I’ve always decorated around Persian rugs.
And everything Jackie!
I would love to see your place! Watch the documentary.
That’s a great chili recipe, Mary Ann — thank you.
Chief looks “immediately at home” on your beautiful Persian rug! I look forward to seeing Mona’s online rug shop (though our ’24 summer trip to Turkey resulted in not THREE rugs, but FIVE because both in the showroom, and when the rugs were actually delivered, the sales personnel were THAT GOOD…)
I really gravitate toward JKO’s style — classic, yet enduringly modern and easy to wear!
My sister got some beautiful rugs on her Turkey trip too.
Enjoy the chili.
Love your new rug and was wondering if we were going to benefit by a chain reaction re-decorating around it 🤭
Like Jackie O’s iconic style I’m looking forward to seeing Melania’s inauguration and ballroom wardrobe. She wore a beautiful white suit with flats when they departed Palm Beach. She could be great for the fashion industry if they don’t shun her.
I’m going to do some reupholstery… so sort of better than buying new.
I do think Melania has nice style just maybe not the best taste in husbands. This comment could have some backlash. 🙂
No backlash here….just applaud you saying it. Jackie Kennedy was one of a kind.
No backlash from me, Mary Ann. I would not have the strength to choose him as my husband either… but I do support many of his policies. 🤷🏻♀️ Praying for our country! 🙏
The chili sounds yummy, I’m going to give it a try for dinner this week.
Growing up, my mother was fascinated by Jackie Kennedy and we had a biography about her with beautiful photos that we would spend hours reading and learning g about her early family life.
Let me know how you like the chili!
Hi Mary Ann
I love your beautiful new rug and your chili sounds easy, yummy and healthy!! I am pinning this one! I used to make a similar one but this one sounds better!
Hope you can come see the rug soon, Cindy!
Enjoy your new beautiful rug! And great tip on the Joe’s flowers!
Thanks, Cheryl!!
the chili looks yummy!! How many does it serve? Love all your recipes you share.
four to six…I will add that to the recipe, Jill!