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Hearty Fuel-For-Shopping Lunch

Power up for those marathon holiday shopping trips with our chili-and-salad combo. Like this menu? Become a member for access to thousands of recipes and menu ideas!Planning a marathon holiday shopping session? Take a break to refuel, with this spicy, warming menu of favorites: a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, a zesty chicken chili and cornbread spiked with cheese and green chiles. Finish up with jam thumbprint cookies to get in the holiday spirit.

the menu

Spinach & Basil Salad with Tomatoes, Candied Walnuts & Warm Bacon Dressing Spicy Chicken & White Bean Chili Tex-Mex Cornbread with Cheese & Green Chiles Pecan Thumbprint Jam Cookies

Shopping List

Fresh Produce: 8 oz. (5-1/2 cups) baby spinach leaves 1 large bunch fresh basil 1 bunch fresh cilantro 1 pint grape tomatoes 1 ripe avocado 1 large white onion 2 limes 2 ears of corn, or 1-1/2 cups frozen corn 1 fresh jalapeno or 2 serrano chiles

Meat, Eggs & Dairy: 1-1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, OR 1 store-roasted chicken 6 slices bacon 2 large eggs 1-1/4 cups buttermilk 1 lb. unsalted butter 4 oz. extra-sharp Cheddar cheese Sour cream (optional)

Pantry Staples: 3/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 Tbs. white wine vinegar 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1 Tbs. baking powder 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2-1/2 Tbs. brown sugar 1 cup confectioner's sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 Tbs. chili powder 1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1-1/2 tsp. dried herbes de Provence Pinch cayenne Kosher salt Black pepper

Other Groceries: Sea salt 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 lb. walnut halves 6 oz. pecans 2 15-oz. cans cannellini beans 1 14-1/2-oz. can diced tomatoes 1 can chipotles in adobo sauce 1 bottle or can lager beer, such as Corona 5 oz. (1 cup) stone-ground yellow cornmeal 3/4 cup red raspberry preserves with seeds

Menu Timeline

Up to Four Days Ahead: Make the Pecan Thumbprint Jam Cookies.

Two Hours Before the Meal: Make the candied walnuts. Make the bacon dressing. Broil the tomatoes. Spoon the tomatoes into the dressing and keep warm until ready to serve. Make the avocado topping for the chili.

90 Minutes Before the Meal: Start making the chili.

45 Minutes Before the Meal: Make the cornbread.

Just Before Serving: Assemble and dress the salad.

photo: Scott Phillips