Monday, January 24, 2011

How About Some Nice, Warm Chowder...?


With the weather being cold and damp in most parts of the country, I figured that it might be good to have a steaming bowl of chowder!

I started having corn chowder last year...and it has quickly become one of my favorites! I found this particular recipes in the Almanac, and since it's so easy and can be made with things you probably already have on hand it seemed to be just the thing.

Corn Chowder

Out of season, two cans (16 ounces each) of cream-style corn may be substituted for the fresh. Either way, you'll hear calls for seconds. "Common crackers" are the approximately two-inch grooved crackers so long served with chowder. After a period out of fashion, they are now being made again and are available at most "country" stores.

Yield: Makes 8 generous servings.

* 6 to 8 medium ears of fresh corn, shucked
* 5 to 6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
* 1 medium onion, sliced
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 5 cups milk, plus extra (approx. 1/2 cup) for soaking the crackers
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 8 to 10 common crackers, split

Cook corn in a covered kettle with a little water for about 12 minutes. Remove corn and add potatoes and onion to the corn water; cook slowly until just soft. Slice corn from cobs with a sharp knife and add to the kettle along with butter and 5 cups of the milk. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Hold on a warm burner without further boiling for 30 to 60 minutes to gather flavor. About 25 minutes before serving, set the crackers to soak in the remaining milk (takes about 20 minutes). Then add them to the soup and serve.

Soup and chowder have always been one of those "comfort foods" that can make the most dreary day a lot more enjoyable, ya know? The fact that this one is so much easier to make than many others is a big plus!

If you make enough to share, I'll be more than happy to share a big ol' bowl with you! Heck, I'll even make a fresh batch of cornbread!

Coffee in the kitchen sound OK to you? Fresh biscuits on the stove there!
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14 comments:

  1. MayberryJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    Man, that sounds good on this rainy night...

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  2. HermitJimJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:34 AM

    Hey Mayberry...
    Does sort of hit the spot, what with all this miserable, damp weather we are having!

    I think I'm starting to go on a soup, chowder, and chili binge!

    Gotta pass the rest of the Winter well fed, right?

    Thanks, buddy, for coming by!

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  3. Ben in TexasJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    Don't take this personal Sir Hermit,but guess I'll pass on your corn soup thing.To me, it just doesn't sound good. Maybe I am not the corn lover like you are?

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  4. RaeJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    Sounds really good to me. I make something similar and it is perfect for serving during our cold weather season up here in the north. Hope all is well with you. Take care friend.

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  5. linda mJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    Sounds really yummy to me, especially on cold days like we are having. Thanks for posting the recipe.

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  6. JoJoJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Good Morning My Special One,
    That sounds really good to me with the corn bread Yummmmmm. Now that might be something to make and take along on the trip. The days should be sunny and warm but when the sun goes down so does the temp real fast.
    Thanks

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  7. Dizzy-DickJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    I don't want to hurt your feeling, it does sound good to me, but my wife and I will not eat anything that contains corn or peanuts, since they are univesally contaminated with micotoxins.

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  8. HermitJimJanuary 24, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Hey Ben...
    No offense taken, my friend! I didn't think it sounded good before I had it the first time, but really like it now!

    Funny how our taste change a little as we get older!

    Thanks for the visit today, buddy!


    Hey Rae...
    Always a pleasure to see you! I hope that you and the family are doing well!

    Probably a lot of different versions of this recipe around! Seems like a good way to make use of the pantry goods that need to be rotated!

    Of course, I tend to like to eat a lot more during the Winter months...guess I'm getting ready to hibernate or something!

    Hey, I sure appreciate you coming by today!


    Hey Linda...
    Certainly my pleasure! I enjoy different versions of some of the foods I like! Guess I am always looking for new ways to fix my favorites!

    I do like soups, stews, chili, and chowder a lot! But then, I like sandwiches a lot as well!

    Being single, I can eat whatever I want whenever I want! Sure makes it easy!

    Thanks, my friend, for coming over today!


    Hey JoJo...
    Ya know, it might just be the thing to have along on your camping trip! Might make those colder nights a little warmer!

    Rain is store for here for the next couple of days! At least the wind isn't blowing real hard!

    Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!


    Hey Dizzy...
    I have never heard that! I didn't know that peanuts and corn weren't good for you.

    I just can't imagine NOT having corn or peanut butter! I like them both!

    I really appreciate you coming by today, my friend!

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  9. commoncentsJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Thanks 4 posting Jim!

    Steve
    Common Cents
    http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

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  10. JaneJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    I have never had chowder, but I will definitely try this,sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharring.Blessings jane

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  11. HermitJimJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Hey Steve...
    I seem to be addicted to posting something nearly every day!

    Some days it isn't much, but I feel I've skipped a task if I don't say something, ya know?

    Good to see you again, my friend! Thanks for coming by today!


    Hey Jane...
    I always think of chowder as a thick soup! Best way I can think of to describe it!

    I like things that are easy to fix...and this dish certainly fits the bill!

    I appreciate you taking the time to drop in today!

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  12. KenJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    ...sounds like the Mrs chicken'tater soup...i mean chowder,obviously without the chicken tho...you know me by now,i gots to have meat...to me meat makes it memorable...lol,and sumtimes she adds carrots and/or peas too(our mixtures always change,depending on the pantry rotation)...
    ...yep,the only good thing about the cold is the soups/stews and chili...

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  13. MarjieJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    My mother and her mother always made this with canned corn. I remember it fondly.

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  14. vladJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Chili
    2 lb ground beef chuck
    2 cups dry oatmeal
    15 oz Ranch Style beans
    one tablespoon
    chili powder
    two tablespoons
    cayenne
    turmeric
    one teaspoon
    cumin.
    Boil meat and oatmeal in 6 cups water until done.
    Put spices in 2/3 cup water. Shake well. Stir into chili.
    Add Ranch Style beans.
    Stir well.

    ReplyDelete