This is an authentic New England clam chowder recipe. It is very creamy, and without the cream! Sure to warm you right up on a cold winter’s day.
Melt 4T of butter in a large stock pot.
Add onions, cook over medium low heat for ten minutes.
Add the celery, potatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Add the clam juice, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered till veggies are tender about 20 minutes.
In a small pot, melt the remaining butter (8 T).
Whisk in the flour, making a rue here.
Cook over very low heat for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Whisk 1 cup of hot broth (from big pot) then pour mixture back into the stock pot.
Simmer for a few minutes, so broth thickens.
Add the milk and clams, heat gently to cook clams.
Serve hot! Great with some fresh crusty bread or oyster crackers.
This month I am sharing one of my daughter’s favorite comfort foods, homemade stuffed shells! I take a weekend day and make a whole bunch of these delicious pasta delights, (doubling the recipe below). Stuffed shells are both yummy and filling, a little goes a long way. Therefore, I have plenty to freeze and save for future dinners! This dish is also great if you have a number of house guests staying with you, and it will please vegetarians too!
2. Cook pasta shells according to directions; drain and set aside to cool.
3. While pasta cooks, in a large bowl, stir together ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, egg, salt, pepper, and spices.
4. Spread 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce over bottom of a 13 X 9 baking dish.
5. Stuff each shell with cheese and spinach mixture, about 1 tablespoonful, and place in baking dish.
6. Spoon remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella.
7. Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake about 10 minutes longer, until bubbly and cheese begins to brown.
Serve with an antipasto salad and fresh Italian bread for a great dinner!
Variations: Brown some ground beef or turkey to add to your sauce.
To freeze: Once the shells have completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer, for about 15 minutes., or until frozen. Then remove the shells, separating any that may have frozen together, and store them in a large freezer bag. Then the next time you are craving stuffed shells or need a quick delicious dinner, take out the amount you need and reheat in the oven with more sauce on top.
Saint Patrick’s Day is around the corner and I have been saving this recipe sent to me from reader Ellen to share this month. This is a corn beef and cabbage recipe her grandmother used to make every Saint Patrick’s Day. Ellen now makes it for her family, and thinks of her grandmother every time. Enjoy, and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Place corned beef in 5 quart slow cooker.
Place vegetables around and on top of meat.
Pour apple juice over everything. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Cover; cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until meat and vegetables are tender but not over-cooked.
This month not only am I sharing a family favorite comfort food, but it’s microwavable. So when you want a delicious dinner and don’t want to turn on the oven, try out this recipe!
Meatloaf; In large mixing bowl, mix together beef, bread, milk, parsley, salt and pepper.
Cheese stuffing; In 1-1/2-quart casserole place onion, pepper, celery and lemon juice, stir and microwave on high 3 minutes, until lightly sautéed.
Add egg to vegetables and stir to blend well.
Stir in cheese and fine bread crumbs.
Assemble the meatloaf; pat half of meat mixture in bottom of 9-inch glass pie plate.
Mound cheese filling over meat leaving about 1 inch uncovered at edges.
Spread remaining meat mixture over filling.
Brush assembled meatloaf with Worcestershire sauce.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap, microwave on high for 25 to 30 minutes.
Let stand about 10 minutes to firm before serving.
Serve in wedges with such vegetables as corn, green beans, or mashed potatoes.