Family Features

On crisp winter days when the wind blows cold, warming up from the inside-out with hearty comfort foods can feel like a worthy solution.

Chili, a classic wintertime favorite, can be taken to the next level with a few tasty additions. Make a spicy version by mixing in bacon, sweet potatoes and a chopped jalapeno pepper for a quick warm-up.

This Skillet Chicken and Dumplings recipe takes less than an hour to create.
To make these heart-warming recipes stand out from a crowd, Circulon Symmetry Chocolate Cookware provides dishwasher-safe, premium nonstick cookware.
Find more information and comforting family-favorite recipes at circulon.com.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6
Circulon Symmetry Chocolate 5.5-Quart Casserole
6 slices thick-cut smoked bacon, chopped
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 3/4-inch pieces
2 medium onions, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 T chili powder
2 t ground cumin
1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t ground chipotle pepper
2 c chicken broth
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) no-salt-added fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz.) black beans
1/2 c quick-cooking barley
1/2 t salt
Heat casserole over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until browned and crisp, about 7-8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-covered plate.

Reduce bacon fat in casserole to 2 tablespoons and return to stove over medium-high heat. Add sweet potatoes, onions and jalapeno pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano and ground chipotle; cook until fragrant, 15 seconds.

Pour in broth, tomatoes, beans and barley; reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until sweet potatoes are tender and barley is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in bacon and salt; let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Skillet Chicken and Dumplings
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Circulon Symmetry Chocolate 3.5-Quart Saucepan
3 containers (32 oz. each) low-sodium chicken stock
Circulon Symmetry Chocolate 12-Inch Essentials Pan
2 medium onions, diced
4 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch rounds
1 head broccoli, chopped
2 T butter
2 T olive oil
2-3 c chopped chicken
2 bay leaves
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t dried basil
1/2 t dried thyme
1 t powdered garlic
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/2 c half-and-half
2 T cornstarch
Dumplings:
1 1/2 c flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 c half-and-half
Garnish:
fresh grated Parmesan cheese
fresh black pepper
In saucepan, bring chicken stock to boil.
In essentials pan, saute onions, carrots and broccoli with butter. Add olive oil as needed if pan looks dry. Cook until onions are translucent and carrots are beginning to soften.
Add chopped chicken, bay leaves, oregano, basil, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper and hot chicken stock to skillet. Simmer 20-30 minutes until vegetables are softened. Adjust seasoning, as necessary.

Whisk cornstarch into half-and-half until smooth. Whisk into soup and simmer 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.

To make dumplings: In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and half-and-half. Swirl soup with wooden spoon and add heaping tablespoons into center of soup at strong simmer. Continue adding until all dumpling batter is used. Cover with lid and cook on high 2-3 minutes.

Serve topped with grated Parmesan and fresh cracked pepper.