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!

It's Strange And Unusual...But It's Good !

I know that I promised while back that I wouldn't post any more recipes for a while...but this one was just too good not to pass on to you!

You can thank my Baby Sis for bringing this one to my attention. Sometimes, I think she is nearly as weird as I am!

PORK AND BEANS BREAD

15 ounce can of pork and beans.
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil (not canola, not olive...vegetable oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecan or walnuts (measure after chopping)
3 cups all purpose flour

Spray two 9 inch by 5 inch loaf pans with Pam or another cooking spray.

Don't drain the pork and beans. Pour them into a food processor or blender, juice and all, and process them until they're pureed smooth with no lumps.

Place the beaten eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the pureed pork and beans and mix them in well.

Add the vegetable oil and the vanilla extract. Mix well. Add the sugar and mix in. Then mix in the baking soda, baking powder, salt and Cinnamon. Stir until everything is incorporated.

Stir in the chopped nuts.

Add the flour in one cup increments, stirring after each addition.

Spoon half of the batter into each loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes, and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack. Can be stored in the freezer for 3 months

Now, believe me when I say that if you don't tell anyone what's in this bread...they will never know! Trust me when I say that this bread is very, very good! It has a flavor that you just can't pin down and yet is familiar!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit. Want a slice of pork and beans?

Now This Is Different...!

We hear stories all the time about how the pioneers had to make do with what they had. Certainly that posed a real problem at holiday time, and led to some outstanding recipes!

When they were forced into making do and using what ever was available, our forefathers could get pretty creative! This is just one way to make some special treats, using leftovers and stuff from the pantry!

I have to admit, this recipe sounds a little strange at first...but it turns out pretty good! Why not give it a try?

Pioneer Mashed Potato Candy

Ingredients:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup mashed cooked potatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pounds confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup shredded coconut

Directions:
1. In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the potato, salt and vanilla. Sift the confectioners sugar over potato, stirring and adding about 1 cup at a time. Mixture will liquefy when first sugar is added then gradually begin to thicken.

3. When it becomes the consistency of stiff dough, knead it even though not all the sugar has been added.

4. After kneading, cover with a damp cloth and chill until a small spoonful can be rolled into a ball. Shape in small 1/2 inch balls. Dip balls in melted chocolate then roll in peanuts or coconut.

Hey...I don't know about you, but I'll eat nearly ANYTHING that has chocolate on it! Please notice that I said NEARLY anything...but I do have limits, ya know?

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit outside! Chocolate mashed potatoes anyone...?

Ready To Gain Some Weight...?

None of us are ever really ready to gain weight, but if you are like me...you can gain weight just by reading recipes like these!

I started looking through the family cookbook to come up with something different for the reunion coming up. What I found instead, was two recipes I had almost forgotten about! They are quick, easy, and mostly can be made with a minimum of ingredients. In fact, I'd be almost willing to bet you already have all the things you need to create these calorie laden, lip smacking goodies!

The first one is not too bad. Certainly, it's not as rich as the second...but, believe me, it's still GOOD!

Potato Chip Cookies

1 pound margarine
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups crushed potato chips
3 1/2 flour

Mix margarine and sugar: add vanilla, flour, and potato chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes

That's it! Good stuff...so maybe you might want to make a double recipe, just in case!

Tami's Gooey Butter Cake

1 stick oleo
2 eggs
1 yellow cake mix

Combine and spread into greased 9x13 inch pan. (Mixture will be thick)

8 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs
1 pound powdered sugar (reserve 2 tbsp. to sprinkle on top)

Pour on top of first layer and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate.

Now I have to tell you, this recipe is from my last ex-wife...and I always suspected she might have been trying to do away with me by getting me so overweight, I would pass on from a heart attack! Never proved it, but I had my suspicions!

Anyway, I hope you try and enjoy these recipes! Just remember, I accept no responsibility for any extra pounds gained during the consumption of these two goodies, OK?

Now, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit...heck, I'm full just from typing these recipes!