Woke up this morning and even before I opened my eyes I felt a disturbance in the force. Okay it was more like something was up and when I did venture a peek I found I was right……. it was dark, gloomy and the threat of rain was in the air AGAIN!!— it’s only been like this for three days now and I mean seriously— it’s August— we are supposed to have great weather so get with it mother nature.
Sorry crummy weather makes me cranky and what better way to combat crummy weather than to create a dish that chases the gloomies away and fills your tummy with happy happy joy joy feelings…. where are these movie quotes coming from?
Anyways, my go to gloomy day vanisher is SOUP and one of my all time favorites is Seafood Chowda or Chowder for those outside of New England. There is just something about a good flavorful bowl of soup that makes everything right in the world….. okay maybe not everything but it comes darn close. So without further ado and no more movie quotes I bring to you my version of Seafood Chowder.
Ingredients:
One bag 32-40 shrimp cut in half – 32-40 refers to the number of shrimp per pound so these would be about medium in size
15 to 20 Sea Scallops
Two to three fish fillets cut in one inch squares- I use Tilapia because it is a nice white but firm fleshed fish
Two Celery stalks chopped
One medium white onion – diced
Two pounds baby yellow potatoes – quartered
Six cups chicken stock
1/2 cup All Purpose flour
1/4 cup butter
Cilantro for garnish
Two tablespoons Canola oil or whatever oil you like to use
Three tablespoons Old Bay seasoning – this is a seafood seasoning so if you use a different kind then go for it.
Putting it all together:
In a large stock pot heat the oil and the butter and saute the onions until transparent- about two minutes
Add the flour and whisk until the oil and butter has clumped (that’s one of those fancy culinary terms) together with the flour and onion
Whisk in the chicken broth a little at a time – I say a little at a time because then you can control how thick the broth will be
When you first whisk in the chicken broth it will appear thin but don’t worry it will thicken as it heats
Add in the celery, potatoes and Old Bay and stir until well incorporated
Top with water until the potatoes are just covered – maybe a quarter inch or so
Bring to a boil, cover and then lower the heat to simmer
When the potatoes are just about fork tender add the fish
When the fish is firm add the shrimp and scallops and simmer until they are done (shrimp will be pink and the scallops firm)
Ladle the finished soup into a big bowl and sprinkle with Cilantro
If this flavorful dish does not chase away the gloomies then the only thing I can say is “go back to bed and yank the covers up over your head” because nothing is going to help.
Now you have another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond” to add to your culinary repertoire and I sincerely hope you enjoy it
So until next time………..
Bon Appetite
gardensandgrills 