Corn Chowder

OK, so it's sort of getting to be beyond soup season, but I wanted to post this anyhow. This is a recipe that I tweeked and really really liked! So...if you have a cold spring day...make this! You'll love it. Well, if you like corn.

1/3 C. Bacon Pieces (I just buy that large bag from Costco) - Or you could just bake and chop some regular bacon.

2-4 Tbs. Oil

6 C. corn kernals (again, frozen from Costco)

1.5 C. cubed red potatoes (about 1/2 inch in size)

3 C. chicken broth

1/2 C. heavy cream

1/2 C. sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded

salt and pepper to taste

3 Tbs. sugar (optional)

1/4. tsp. cayenne pepper (optional if you want a little kick. I did it once with and once without)

Cook your bacon pieces and oil on medium high heat for a few minutes. Obviously, this is already cooked stuff...but I just crisp it up a bit and get the bacon taste in the oil/drippings/pot. Remove all or most of the bacon from the pan leaving the oil and set aside. Add corn and potatoes to pot with oil. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer uncovered over medium heat until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer 3 cups soup to blender. Puree until smooth. (Be careful to not let blender splash or spill this. It's hot!) Return puree to soup in pot. Stir in cream, cheese, and bacon...(and sugar and/or cayenne if using this). Bring chowder to simmer, thinning with more broth if too thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy this bad boy! I LOVED it. Sorry there is no picture. You'll have to just imagine it. It's fabulous!

Sweet Potato Fries

This was the only picture I could get before my battery died. But it does this trick.

These fries were really good. I cut them a little too thin so they were a little flimsy, but the flavor was amazing. Rookie Cookie does it again.

1 large sweet potato
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper

Set your oven to 450 degrees.

First, cut a very thin slice off the bottom of the potato so it doesn't roll. Then cut off 1/4" slices and slice into julienned 1/4" slices. Place on a cookie sheet and drizzle with oil and spices. Toss well, making sure to coat evenly. Then spread out evenly and with space between the fries. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once at about 20 minutes.

{I got this from Rookie Cookie's blog}

Loaded Potato Skins

These made a great side dish. Easy and delicious...and pretty, too!


4 russet potatoes
Olive Oil
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp butter
1/w cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 green onions, chopped


Preheat oven to 400 F. Rub potatoes with a bit of olive oil and lightly salt the skins. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until tender.

Cut potatoes in half and, when cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh in a bowl (leave a thin layer of potato intact around the skin to help prevent it from tearing). Add the milk, butter, cheese, and green onions and stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat the broiler. Carefully scoop the mashed potatoes into the skins. Top with a bit of extra cheese and place until the broiler until the tops are brown and crispy (3-5 minutes).

Top each with bacon, jalapenos, sour cream and green onions.

{Adapted from Cook This, Not That Recipe book}

Au Gratin Potatoes

While my mom was here visiting she bought us a ham from Costco. I whipped up these potatoes to go along with it - and let me tell you, they were deliciously yummy. And if you haven't tried the ham from Costco get some. It is AMAZING!


Au Gratin Potatoes

* 4 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
* 1 onion, sliced into rings or diced
* salt and pepper to taste
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups milk
* 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 1 quart casserole dish.
2. Layer 1/2 of the potatoes into bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with the onion slices, and add the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk. Cook until mixture has thickened. Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Pour cheese over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
4. Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven.

Mashed Potatoes

This is actually a recipe that Heather gave me, so she might need to get in here and alter a few things...(You might not like me when you realize how fattening I made those mashed potatoes last Thanksgiving! :)

Boil Potatoes - Heather says to use the Red Ones and leave the skins on. I happened to already have brown ones on hand, so I just used those (peeled). BOTH are great!

Once boiled and soft enough to mash...
Load in the following:
1 cube of BUTTER
8 oz. block of Cream Cheese
12 oz. tub of Sour Cream

I like my potatoes smooth so I used a hand mixer to mix mine. If you like them chunky then just use a masher.

Oooh Baby! (Of course you can altar these, but it's all FABULOUS!)