Monday, November 9, 2009

The Taste of Fall

I don't know if you're like me, but I have certain dishes that I save for specific seasons. Some of my fall favorites are chili, Swiss steak, apple cake, and many soups. I love to make soup because they are so satisfying to the stomach as well as the nose! There is something very comforting about walking into the house on a cool day and smelling something wonderful simmering away on the stove. I am having company tonight and although the weather is a bit warmer, the calendar says November so I better take advantage of the season. Winter will bring flavors and favorites of its own.

This recipe is from Pampered Chef and is simple to make and very hearty. I like soups because you can make them a couple days in advance then reheat when ready to serve. (Just be careful when you reheat this one not to overcook the shrimp which will make them tough.) I plan to serve cole slaw and popovers with my chowder tonight. Get out your Dutch oven and make a pot of chowder this week--hurry though, fall is flying by!



Seafood Chowder

4-5 medium red potatoes, cut into 1" cubes
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. sliced carrots
1 c. diced red bell pepper
2 cans (6 1/2 oz. each) minced clams, drained, reserving juice
1 T. butter or margarine
2 14.5 oz. cans chicken broth
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. half and half (light cream--I buy the low-fat)
1 lb. fresh by scallops
1 lb. frozen cooked medium shrimp, thawed, rinsed and tails removed
Snipped parsley


Cut potatoes into 1" cubes to measure 3 cups. Chop ion, slice carrots, celery and dice bell pepper. Drain clams reserving clam juice. If clam juice does not measure 1 cup, add enough water to equal 1 cup.
Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion; cook 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, bell pepper, reserved clam juice, chicken broth, salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Meanwhile, measure flour into a small bowl. Whisk in half-and-half until smooth.
Add clams, scallops and shrimp to chowder; gradually whisk in flour mixture. Return to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly. Cover until ready to serve. Sprinkle with parsley. (Yield: 12 servings)


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Best-Ever Apple Pie--Really!

You just can't beat a good ol' American apple pie for a great dessert. This recipe was featured in the September 2008 issue of Southern Living. It has five pounds of apples in it!! The picture above is the picture of the pie I made. It was so good! As you read the recipe, you will notice that the crust is a little different--it has cornmeal in it. It also uses apple juice as the wetting agent. The trick is rolling the top crust out large enough to cover that mound of apples. If you love apple pie, try this one. I don't think you'll be disappointed!