Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Fog


Well, it is finally here, fog. We made it almost to Christmas without it visiting. I admit to liking it only at Christmas. I guess because we don't get snow, fog is the next best thing. Now once Christmas is over I don't like it but after working in the garden all summer I am determined to enjoy every single day I get to be in the house.
I thought today I would share one of my favorite recipes. After watching Julie/Julia this weekend I admit to be inspired. I loved all of the stuff Julie said about blogging and how it helps keep you on track, and it does. It helps keep your mind focused each day and each day you do finish a post so you have accomplished something. Now the cooking part. I feed so many people during the course of a day, I feed to fill up not to look pretty, but once along time ago I wanted to be the best cook in the whole wide world. I am going to share, one of the things I make that is pretty and it is very good.

My Favorite Clam Chowder.
3 cans minced clams
1 cup minced onion
1 cup diced celery ( I omit because we detest celery)
2 cups potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
1 quart of Half and Half
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
ground pepper to taste

1. Drain juice from clams into large skillet over onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover and cook over medium heat until tender.
2. Meanwhile in large heavy sauce pan melt butter over medium heat. Wisk flour until smooth. Wisk in cream and stir constantly until smooth. Stir in vegetables and clam juice but do not boil.
3. Stir in clams, just before serving. When clams are heated through stir in vinegar and salt and pepper.
4. I use bread bowls to serve it and sprinkle with chopped bacon.

The vinegar is the secret ingredient. It changes the whole flavor and the texture of the soup.
I make this at Christmas Eve and I add red and green bell pepper just to make it look prettier.
One thing for the people who know me, I never can make a recipe the way it says but I am always tinkering with it but this one has stayed pretty much the same, except of course, I use fat free half and half. I still use the butter though, because I think that is the secret to making things taste wonderful is butter.
Have a Wonderful Tuesday!

4 comments:

Kessie said...

Oooh, I'll have to give that a try! After Christmas, that is. :-) Now I'm going to have to watch Julie/Julia. When I saw the title I thought it was some gay movie.

I love your fog picture. Right now A. is out riding his little car in it. I wanted him to experience fog and get his little feet all numb, the way I used to. Nothing like being bundled up in a coat and bare feet!

Meg said...

Oh! I love your clam chowder and wait for it every year. Now I can make it all for myself! :D

I always thought fog was scariest at your house. When I would stay the night and we would all watch movies together I would look out the window before going to bed and be scared to death thinking there was something lurking just beyond the visibility point. Like zombies or something. Probably didn't help that we had seen Grudge before the fog showed up. =\

Farm Girl said...

Wow, I can't believe you think that is a good memory, :) I still shudder at the fact you guys would be out in the fog and your feet would turn blue but you always had a coat on.
I knew it drove Allan nuts next door. Well, then fix hot chocolate. He will love that.
Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Farm Girl said...

Hey Meg, you have no idea how hard it was for me to take the camera and go outside to take a picture. I still get the heebie-jeebies out there is the pasture by myself in the fog. It is scary out here in the fog. I still remember being out in the fog to feed when that wolf showed up and I had to hide in the shed. It was after the night before when we saw The Chronicles of Narnia, and that wolf looked just like them. So yep, it does get scary when the trees are blowing too.