Guide to Longboat Key Sarasota Florida

Longboat Key has so many hidden treasures and Adventures to explore. 

I'm going to share the ones we explored. This Earth has so many amazing places and so many right in the State you live. You just have to pack up the car and get out there and explore. Each time we go out we always find something new and fun! This is best place for the day or a Weekend getaway with the family or just yourself.

Longboat Key is a town in Manatee and Sarasota counties along the central west coast of the U.S. state of Florida, located on and coterminous with the barrier island of the same name. Longboat Key is south of Anna Maria Island, between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

 It is almost equally divided between Manatee and Sarasota counties. The town of Longboat Key was incorporated in 1955 and is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Longboat Key Beach is seriously one of the best beaches we have been to. 

There is very little people at any time of the year. If you stop by the Welcome Park Sign with all the Bird Names and species you will find Each and everyone one of those plus more roaming and exploring the Beaches. It was Neat for Kylie to Learn about each of the Birds. Along with every kind of Seashell you can think of! The sand feels so soft and white and the sun doesn't make it hot at all like most beaches. 

SHOPPING

Another must while in Longboat Key is St.Armands Circle Shops and Restaurants.

 We spent the entire day just shopping, exploring and tasting yummy Treats and Food. 

Some of Our favorite Stores- Fresh Produce, Little Bo'tique, crazy shirts, just because,  Napels soap store, Gem. We went into every store just to see what they had. We loved each and every one.

Treats and Food- Le Macaron (Kylies most favorite) , Big Olaf Creamery- BEST PLACE- Yummy pies and IceCream, GIGI cupcakes- So many amazing Yummy choices, 

The Pepper Place- It was so much fun trying all kinds of BBQ sauce and hot sauces along with salsas.

 Spice Exchange- This was our favorite Stay tuned for a blog on it. We tried so many spices and Every Flavor Sugars. We picked our favorites to buy. Kylie's Favorite was the Raspberry Sugar, Strawberry Sugar,  Ranch Dill Dip I loved all the mixed blends and picked up two kinds of Curry. stay tuned for some yummy recipes.

The Peanut Shop- So many delish tasting peanuts. Not just salty but sweet and any flavor you can think of. Favorites Garlic and milk and dark chocolate.

They offer FREE samples of each one they make!  I recommend Buying a peanut tree at the Peanut shop because it will be so neat for your little ones to learn how peanuts grow.

This is a map to save they have them every so often but its hard to see on there. 

Homemade 30 min White Chicken Chili - 21 day fix approved

Quick tip: To save time, use a store bought rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken that you have on hand. Of course you can cook fresh chicken.

*21 day fix approved

Yield: about 8 to 10 cups Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 3 cups sweet Vidalia onion, peeled and diced small (about 2 medium/large onions)
* 1 large jalapeno pepper (about 4 to 5 inches long), diced very small (the seeds are where the heat is concentrated; included or discard them based on preference)
* 7 to 8 ounces canned green chilis, don't drain
* 4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
* 32 ounces (4 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
* 1 bag of corn
* 1 bag of carrots
* 1 bag of celery
* 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (use about 1 whole store bought rotisserie chicken to save time; or roast or cook your own chicken in a skillet)
* two 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (see step 4 below about blending 1 cup of the beans with a splash of chicken broth or water)
* 1 tablespoon lime juice
* 1 tablespoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoons salt, or to taste
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional and to taste
* 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely minced
* tortilla strips, chips, crackers, diced avocado, shredded cheese, and/or sour cream; all are optional for garnishing

Directions:
  Oven or crockpot, add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat to warm.
1. Add the onion, jalapeno, green chilis, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften. Stir often.
2. In a pot add water and boil the carrots celery and corn until soft with fork.
3. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 min. Stir often.
4. Add the chicken broth, chicken, cannellini beans including whole beans and blended bean mixture (take 1 cup of the beans, add to a food processor or blender, add a splash of chicken broth or water and blend until smooth; mixture should be thick. Add the blended bean mixture along with the whole beans to pot), lime juice, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, red chili flakes,  cayenne pepper, and bring to a boil. Allow mixture to boil gently for about 8 to 10 minutes. It's unlikely, but if at any point the overall liquid level looks low or you prefer your chili to be thinner, add 1 cup of water!  For thicker chili, allow mixture to boil longer and reduce until desired thickness happens.
5. Add the cilantro and boil 1 minute.
6. Taste chili and add salt to taste.
7. Ladle chili into bowls, and optionally garnish with tortilla strips, chips, crackers, Chili will keep airtight in the fridge for 5 to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.