An excerpt and a recipe worth savoring from Caroline Powers’ A Future and a Hope

An excerpt and a recipe worth savoring from Caroline Powers’ A Future and a Hope
Sunday, September 15, 2024 by Sally Jo Pitts

Categories: Books & Food / Recommended Books

Investigating Food Used in Novels

Fall is a great time for White Chicken Chili and a food scene from Caroline Powers’ novel, A Future and a Hope.

Excerpt from Chapter 26 of A Future and A Hope

This scene takes place after Gabe returns from a visit with his family for Thanksgiving. He and Larkyn have finally broken through the barriers to having a relationship and they’re eager to see one another. Information about her first husband’s death has just been revealed.

Here’s the Scene:

“Come in.” She stepped aside to give him room and zinged him with a breathless smile that shot sparkles from her aqua eyes. Who was this woman? Where was the hand winging?

He took in the fuzzy sweater and stretchy, tight pants before his arms encircled her and pulled her against his chest. She nestled like a kitten.

“Hi,” he breathed into her hair.

“Hi yourself.” She drew back just enough for him to see her face. “I hope you’re hungry.”

Oh man. If you only knew. He released her slowly as a spicy aroma reached him. “You’re cooking?”

“Only some soup.”

Not any soup I’ve ever smelled before.” His empty stomach gurgled.

“The recipe’s called white chicken chili. Come and see.”

When she lifted the lid to the cast iron pot and stirred the contents with a wooden spoon, a tangy combination of cumin, onion, garlic, and something different wafted out. Mmm.

“I know chili, and this ain’t it.” He leaned over to sip from the spoon she offered. “Wow, this stuff’s got a kick.”

“I use green chili instead of red, and chicken instead of beef.” She covered the pot and turned to open the oven door. Gabe savored the sight of her willowy form as she bent to her task. More rich smells assaulted him.

“Cornbread.” She announced over the golden muffins emerging from the heat. With skill, she emptied them into a basket and closed the towel lining. “You can put them on the table.”

While she ladled the chili, Gabe obeyed. Then he carried both bowls to her new table. They were seated and Gabe blessed the food. The scene felt as natural as the sweep of her hand, brushing back her hair.

Gabe’s tongue tingled from the fire in his bowl. Green chilis, huh? They didn’t put these in lasagna. “Where did you learn to make this?”

“From a recipe I found online. I’ve always loved ethnic foods.”

He sensed that might be half the story, but tonight she’d made it for him. “Maybe I can taste the flavor better when my mouth calms down.” He picked up a muffin and watched as butter melted into the cornbread’s texture.

“Try your muffin with this.” She presented a jar of honey and watched him slather it on. “Honey helps dispel the heat.”

Gabe ate slowly, savoring the flavor of the soup while enduring the burn. Lots of cornbread and honey later, his tongue no longer noticed.

“Do you think they’ll have enough to arrest Martin?” Larkyn seemed to have stored this question until she couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Honestly, I have no idea.” And being honest, he had to ask, “What will you do if they don’t?”

Author Caroline Powers shares this recipe for White Chicken Chili served up by her heroine.

White Chicken Chili

For the recipe Click Here.

More About A Future and a Hope:

A Lovely Widow, An Injured Veteran, a Hit-and-Run Mystery ...
When Larkyn Wagner barely misses hitting a bicyclist with her car, visions of her husband’s death by hit and run overwhelm her. The victim, Gabe DeSantis, a recently discharged Army veteran who lost his leg in Afghanistan is plenty ticked until he sees the remorse of his attacker. By the time the lovely widow departs, he’s almost sympathetic.
Neither expects to meet again, but another collision awaits.
While Gabe fights for a new start outside the military, Larkyn pines for the love of her life. What will it take to ignite the attraction they both refuse to acknowledge
The characters will draw you in, but it's the message of hope that will linger after the final page.

About the author:

Caroline Powers writes captivating romance, inspired by her own emotional healing. Her debut novel A Future and A Hope was a 2022 Genesis finalist and is currently a finalist for the Christian Indie Award.

You can find her blog and sign up for her monthly devotional newsletter at her website: carolinepowersauthor.com