RECIPES: Corn Chowder

Since I received so many corn chowder recipes form everyone, thought I should compile them all in one place. Can't wait to try them!

Corn Chowder
From Adrianne's Mom
2 small onions, chopped
4 slices of bacon
2 celery stalk,chopped
2 potatoes chopped
4 cups corn (frozen or canned)
4 cups chicken broth
*****************************
1 Bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
1 1/2 cups cream or half n' half
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Cook onions, bacon & celery, put in slow cooker. Add potatoes, corn, broth, bay leave, salt & pepper. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Take bay leaf out and throw away. On the stove top, melt butter, add the flour so it makes a paste. Cook until light brown. Slowly add the cream to the paste, heat until it thickens. DO NOT BOIL! Move it from the heat, add the cheese and mix until melted. Add this mixture to the slow cooker mixture. Stir well and serve.


Joe's Favorite Fresh Corn Chowder
From Kelly
1/4 lb. bacon, diced
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
2 cups potates, diced
3 cups corn kernels
2 cups cooked chicken
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup parsley, minced
Salt & Pepper

Fry the bacon in the bottom of a 6 quart stock pot. When the bacon is crisp, remove it from pan and set aside. Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of fat. Add the onions and celery to the bacon fate and saute until soft. Then add the potatoes, water and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling reduce to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender. Stir in chicken, corn and thyme. Slowly add the cream to the warm mixture. Add the parsley. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot sprinkled with bacon crisps.


Corn Chowder
From: Kelly
8 potatoes (peeled and cubed)
1 pkg frozen corn
1 onion, chopped
6 T. butter
1/4 cup flour
4 cups milk
1/2 cup cream
8 oz. cream cheese
2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1t. parsley
1/4 t. thyme
1/4 t. marjoram

Cook potatoes until tender. Saute onions with butter until tender. Add flour, stir to blend. Add milk, cream and cream cheese. Whisk with wire until smoot. Continue to cook until slightly thickened. Stir in potatoes, corn, salt, pepper and herbs. Heat mixture to piping hot, but do not boil. For better flavor, set aside to cool and then reheat.


Sausage Corn Chowder
From Margo's Aunt
Brown in soup pot 1 pound "lite" sausage and 1 diced yellow onion. While browning meat, peel and dice 5 medium potatoes. Drain any grease off meat and onions, add potatoes and cover with water. Cook until potatoes are barely tender. Add 1 can corn, 1 can creamed corn, and 1 can evaporated milk. Thicken to tates with 3T flour dissolved in water. Heat until thickening is cooked.


Corn Chowder
From Cat Lady (her hubby likes with with shredded chicken)
2 cans cream of potato soup
2 cans cream corn
2 cans corn (or approx 4 cups frozen)
3 cups +/- diced potatoes
1 qt half & half
extra milk if needed
salt and pepper to taste. I like a lot of pepper... almost a Tblspn

Mix everything together and simmer till potatoes are tender, stirring occasionaly so it doesn't stick to the pan. I also use canned potatoes or sometimes frozen hashbrowns.

Week 8 and doin' great!

Sorry for the silly rhyme. Couldn't resist. My mom and sis are here right now, which is great, and we had our St. Patrick's dinner last night, which was also great. Think I can use the word great again? That would be great.


CALL FOR A RECIPE: I want to make Corn Chowder this week. Anyone have a recipe they love? Please post!

Song of the Week: "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" by Susan Tedeschi. If you haven't heard Susan, you need to ASAP. This song is a Bob Dylan cover that just plain rules. She is from the same part of Massachusetts as my in-laws, so we all love her. But it helps that she is a dang good musician. Her voice is amazing, and I love ALL of her albums. She is definitely one of my favorite artists (I'm still bitter over her loss to Christina Aguilera for the Best New Artist Grammy in 2000).

Thanks to everyone posting menus and ideas - this will sound cheesy, but it really does inspire me when I plan each week. So, thank you! Keep it coming!

Week 8 Menu

MONDAY:
- Beef Stew
- Rolls

TUESDAY:
- Baked French Toast
- Home Fries
- Fruit Salad

WEDNESDAY:
- Macaroni Grill's Pasta Milano
- Salad
- Bread

THURSDAY:
- Leftover Night

FRIDAY:
- Corn Chowder
- Whole Wheat Bread

SATURDAY:
- Crepes (spinach, mushroom, chicken and swiss)
- Spinach salad
- Baguette

SUNDAY:
- Chili Chicken Skewers
- Rice with Cilantro Pesto
- Asparagus or Chunky Banana Sweet Potato Mash

The Goods: DAFFODILS!

Cadbury Mini Eggs and Daffodils are a sure sign that spring has sprung! (Although if you were hammered with snow yesterday out East you may be doubtful!) Few things cheer me more than that day in early spring when I find daffodils galore at Trader Joe's. Oh happy day! I don't know about TJ's in other places, but right now in San Diego they are $1.19 for a 10-stem bunch... at that price you can fill the whole house with flowers and barely make a dent in the checking account.


Happy Spring!

The Goods: Cuban Mojito Simmer Sauce

I'm always torn about how much Trader Joe's I should feature on the blog... first of all, they're not paying me. ;) Seriously, though... I love their stuff, but I know some of you out there don't have access. So, if you don't, just ignore my post today. ;)


I was going to feature Cuban Mojito Simmer Sauce next week, but Kelly made such a glowing review of it (and also reaffirmed I SHOULD tell you about TJ's stuff), I figured I would go ahead and feature it now! This week I had Cuban Mojito Chicken on the menu. This sauce is a savory yet citrus-y (how's that for grammar?) sauce that isn't very thick. I usually cook a pound of chicken on the stove then simmer in the sauce, serve over rice w/a side of black beans and a veggie. It is scrumptious. I haven't done this yet, but I think it would also make an awesome marinade. Anyway, when you get a chance, try it out!

Lunchtime: Boursin Turkey Baguette

YEARS ago my friend Jami had me over for lunch and threw together the most delicious sandwich... I don't know if it's a regular of hers, but I have made it ever since. It's easy and delectable. You simply can't go wrong when Boursin cheese is involved. Given my previous post, I guess I should be saying to use whole wheat baguettes... okay, yeah, sure. Seriously, a regular old white baguette tastes so good. Sorry, whole grains.

Boursin Turkey Baguette Sandwich
Toast a baguette. Spread Boursin cheese on both sides. Top with turkey and romaine lettuce. Sometimes I use spinach instead to make it "healthier," but the romaine is nice for the texture - take your pick. Enjoy!

Healthy Eats: Wheat Bread with NO FIBER?!?!

I recently bought a loaf of "wheat french bread"... well, when I got home and read the label, there was NO FIBER in the bread. What the?!?!? My two whole grain cents... if you care... make sure the bread you buy says WHOLE wheat bread or whole grains - and read the labels carefully! I basically bought white bread with brown flecks in it, flecks with absolutely NO fiber.


I'm going to venture into the world of wheat bread baking. I'm looking for a recipe that is like the wheat bread they give you at Cheesecake Factory (DARK, kind of sweet, not too dense, not pumpernickel). If you have one, please share!

The Goods: Cadbury Mini Eggs

Is there anything better in the world than Cadbury Mini Eggs? Easter just can't come fast enough each year. I love having this bowl in the kitchen... maybe too much. :)

Recipe Feature: Homemade French Fries

I LOVE homemade fries... when you cut 'em small and fry 'em up in oil...nothing better. HOWEVER, there are serious drawbacks to this method... smelly house, fatty food, cooking fries in small batches so they don't stay hot, dangerous cooking conditions. For those reasons I rarely make the effort. Last week, however, I decided to do things a little differently. I baked AND grilled some fries to compare methods. They come out differently than regular frying, but just as good and a great way to go.


PREP: I sliced the potatoes thin and wide so they wouldn't fall as easily in the grill. Coat in olive oil and season with a seasoned salt, pepper and paprika.

TO BAKE: Spread seasoned potatoes on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for ~30-40 mins. Flip halfway.

TO GRILL: Cook on medium indirect heat on the grill, 10-15 mins or until done. Flip halfway. Keep an eye on them throughout.

RESULTS: The grilled fries had a nice texture to them, were not as greasy and had a nice grill flavor. However, it is really easy to burn the outsides before they are cooked through, which does not taste so good. The baked fries were yummy yummy because none burned - more consistent. If you want that added grill flavor and texture, I would recommend baking them partially then finishing off on the grill. If you're good at grilling, you probably don't have to do this.

Bottom Line: A GREAT alternative to frying your french fries - tasty, healthier, easier, safer, less stinky.

Week 7: Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! That means GREEN FOOD in the Maynard house, a tradition I've inherited from my mother-in-law, Pat. Of course, I can't go all green or all Irish for that matter... corned beef sandwiches with swiss cheese comprise the main dish (instead of corned beef hash). All of the supporting characters will be tinted with the traditional Irish color... green mashed potatoes? green jello? The possibilities are endless. Here's Cate 2 years ago... sorry it's not a picture of green food, but this picture should brighten anyone's St. Paddy's Day!

Song of the Week: "Heal Over" by KT Tunstall. You may be sick of her two songs that you hear all the time... but I have to say I quite like her album. "Heal Over" is near the end and I think it may be my favorite song on there. Definitely check it out. Speaking of which, you should really be checking out ALL of the songs of the week... they are all DANG GOOD and you're missing out if you aren't ;) plus you want to be as cool as me, right? Just kidding... but honestly, take a trip to iTunes or my store and check them out!

Keep a look out for more frequent posts! I'll be doing regular features from now on. If you have ideas or contributions for the features, feel free to email weeklydinners@gmail.com!

Homework assignment #1: Please post your menus! If you already are, you rule! If you aren't - share! Don't worry if it isn't fancy, either. It's all about sharing and stealing ideas. Homework assignment #2: Pass the blog on to others! Some of you are doing an AWESOME job at that and I thank you!!! :)

Erin go bragh!!

Week 7 Menu

MONDAY:
- Lentil Soup
- Yummy bread of some sort

TUESDAY:
- Barbecue Chicken Pizza
- Salad

WEDNESDAY:
- Leftover Night

THURSDAY:
Chinese Take-out Night, Trader Joe's Style - all items can be found in the frozen section
- Mandarin Orange Chicken
- Stir Fry Veggies
- Chicken Shu Mai

FRIDAY:
- Cuban Mojito Chicken (simmer sauce from Trader Joe's)
- Rice
- Black Beans
- Spinach Salad

SATURDAY:
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
- Corned beef sandwiches
- All things green! Green fruit dip, green grapes, spinach salad, green french fries (don't know how that will come out!), green lemon bars

SUNDAY:
- Kitchen-Sink Quesadillas
- Guacamole & Chips

Mid-Week Treat: FRUIT DIP!

Okay, if you haven't tried my Fruit Dip recipe yet, I must insist that you do so immediately. I made it tonight and it is just SO GOOD. I LOVE THIS STUFF and it is wicked easy to make. I think I may be a little obsessed with it (more than most people). Certainly not low in sugar or fat, but worth every calorie. And if you're 2 years old, apparently it's good for dipping potato chips, just ask Cate.

Week 6: Good Morning!

This morning was "Big Pancake Day" and my first attempt at a smiling pancake for Cate. Cate loved it and called it the Funny Pancake Face. Here he is wishing you all a good morning!


The Margherita Pizza last week was my favorite. I crushed some fresh garlic in the olive oil that I spread on the pizza, and sprinkled fresh parmesan cheese over the whole thing. Salt and pepper the whole crust, esp the edges, salted the cheese a lot too. Lucky for me it all cooked just right - the cheese didn't overcook by the time the crust was done. YUM! And, yes, you can see from the picture I don't use a pizza stone... I know, not cool, but it still comes out great so whatever. :)


The Song of the Week is "Warning Sign" by Coldplay.When Coldplay first hit the scene I thought I didn't like them, but now I realize I love them. This particular song I recently rediscovered on The Last Kisssoundtrack, the recent Zach Braff movie that I hear wasn't so good, but the soundtrack is. Maybe not as spectacular as the Garden State soundtrack, but it can hold its own.

Enough rambling... on to the menu! Have a great week!

Week 6 Menu

Okay, a few repeats this week... last week got a little crazy. But some good new stuff as well to make up for it. :)

MONDAY:
- Hamburgers
- Grilled Fries
- Carrots and dip

TUESDAY:
Chinese Take-out Night, Trader Joe's Style - all items can be found in the frozen section
- Mandarin Orange Chicken
- Stir Fry Veggies
- Chicken Shu Mai

WEDNESDAY:
- Chili
- Corn Cake Toppers


THURSDAY:
- Malibu Melt Wraps
- Potato chips

FRIDAY:
- Pork Chops
- Brown & Wild Rice
- Veggie

SATURDAY:
- Santa Fe Salad

SUNDAY:
- Chicken Parmesan
- Pasta
- Salad

Mid-Week Music: Catch the Moon

You can now visit us at www.thisweekfordinner.com!! The old address (http://weeklydinners.blogspot.com) will continue to redirect you to the new address.

To those of you new to the blog - WELCOME! And a special THANK YOU to Design Mom and everyone else who has featured the blog and/or set up links on their blogs - I'm feelin' the love and support and it's great! And, thankfully, everyone who's used recipes so far has been happy. Phew.

If you're a new This Week for Dinner friend, this blog was born after I got a "new" (meaning old) iMac computer in the kitchen. Along with having my recipes at my fingertips (which rules!), I now have iTunes to keep me company while I cook, hence the Song of the Week in my regular posts. For all the moms and dads out there, I'd like to share a whole ALBUM with you as a Mid-Week Music bonus.

Catch the Moonby Lisa Loeb & Elizabeth Mitchell is GREAT for kids and parents! Cate loves it and I like the songs too. Whenever we are in the kitchen she asks for the "choo choo song" and she's learning cute phrases like "boogie" and "rock and roll" :) If you are a parent, you should DEFINITELY check it out. A welcome change from the usual kids albums out there. Enjoy and "see" you Sunday!