recipe: Corn Potato Chowder

Reading last week's entry made me want to just publish a self-created recipe that rocks (according to the eaters, and the creator).

Corn Potato Chowder

1/2 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp dried cumin
1 tsp dried cayenne
4 cups veg broth
8 oz. heavy cream (could reduce to 4 oz. or sub. lower cal/fat alternative)
2 large Yukon potatoes, unpeeled, diced unevenly
16 oz. frozen corn
shredded mozzarella (could sub. sharp cheddar)

Saute onion, garlic and spices in oil until onions are tender. Add liquid smoke, broth, cream. Add potatoes to hot soup base and cook 10 minutes. Add corn. Continue to cook until potatoes begin to break down (about 10 minutes). Using a potato masher, press potatoes to aid thickening. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let soup simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve with shredded cheese on the side. Serve as a meal with garlic bread. Feeds 4 to 6 (depending on appetite).

Buon Appetito!

I'm a dork

Yes, I'm a dork.

When invited to a friend's house for food, drinks and laughs, I asked what to bring.

The answer was vague - just a list of things that others were bringing: bacon wrapped corn dogs, mashed potatoes and sushi dip. Sounds like maybe they're going for a comfort food dinner. So, I'll bring a spagetti - nothing fancy, my favorite off-the-shelf sauce, Classico's Organic Sweet Basil Marinara, with veggie ground round. It's a weekly dish around here...usually lazy dinner night.

So, I walk in to a table covered with fancy finger food. There aren't any mashed potatoes. No corn dogs either. But, someone did wrap bacon around tater tots (and even they were kinda fancy). The sushi dip is actually nice...not cream cheese with onions and salmon in it like I envisioned. Stuffed mushroom caps. Pear, gruyere and jalapeno bruschetta. Cheese and crackers. Homemade salsa and chips. And my spagetti.

It never got opened. Just sat there on the back corner of the table in it's to-go Gladware. Embarrassed by my contrubution, I didn't draw any attention to it.

At the party's end, I quietly picked up my togo containers and took my uneaten spagetti home with me. Not considering that this action made me not only look like a lazy and unimaginative cook, but also stingy with my boring food.

Esh.

So, now, I'm working on some knock-out recipes to redeem myself. That is, if I ever get another invite...

...the bruschetta was amazing. Wish I'd thought of it.

wide eyed, teeth clinched

Too - Much - Coffee.

My eye is twitching.

Mind like a hummingbird.

Nervous limbs of a junkie.

Weave and all...

Every detail was planned and executed perfectly...right down to the weave to make her hair "wedding big".

The wedding was appropriately ceremonious - with obvious input from Jon & Becca. There were a few laughs, a few touching moments. Then Jon started stomping on stuff...oh wait, that was a glass...mazel tov!

The reception was a great gathering of friends - new and old. So much laughter, so much, er, alcohol. Everyone said it was going to be a late, great night.

When we got kicked out of the reception hall, the bride announced: "Everyone is welcome back to our room." (What was she thinking on her wedding night???)

Everyone showed up in their pink Madonna Inn bathrobes. Except me (and some others). I decided I needed to have mine, too. I stumbled to the room to get it...and never made it back.

I hear the rest of the party was a blast.

I can't believe Cahen outlasted me...

Congratulations Becca and Jon!

Now, make a baby already...

food for thought

Overheard at PDX airport, on the parking shuttle. A conversation between 2 "business casual" guys:

Stiff lip: "I do not like going all day without eating."
Long nose: "Well...we had breakfast."
Stiff lip: "yeah."
Long nose: "And, we had those sandwiches."
Stiff lip: "yeah, we did."
Long nose: "And you had that burrito."
Stiff lip: "Yeah...I guess I ate 3 times."

I want to look inside your head

Wes Anderson makes me happy. I'm very excited for the release his new movie "The Darjeeling Limited". And, in the meantime, I watched (free on itunes!) the short film, Hotel Chevalier, which is noted as part 1 of The Darjeeling Limited. His ability to develop characters by using minimal words and gestures delights me. His use of color makes my eyes smile.

But, besides my adoration for him as a filmmaker, I'm excited by his knack for drawing well-deserved attention to lesser-known artists whose talents escaped the mainstream.

For example: Peter Sarstedt, "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)"


God Bless you Mr. Anderson.

Really?!?