Can Chowder Jam? If so, this one does.

Typically I wouldn't consider myself a Chowder Chick, but the other night after staring into the pot of veggies I was sauteing, I wondered what would happen if I poured the carton of half-and-half into it. 

I was going for it!  I'd never made a chowder before so I was a little apprehensive at first (would the milk curdle?  would the veggies shrivel?  would the kids run away?).  But then a word popped into mind that I thought might smooth the transition of soup to chowder: BACON! 

This story ends well, so here are the cooking details from start to finish so you can recreate my masterpiece in your own home (and it was, by all means, a masterpiece). 

Saute a garden of veggies in a little olive oil (my favorites: carrots, leek, cabbage, celery, squash) and add bacon (chopped up) if you have it.  After a few minutes add a little, or a lot, of white wine (I use so much white wine in my cooking, that I wonder if that is what contributes to my kids' excellent sleeping habits). 

Add a carton (2 to 3 cups) of vegetable broth or chicken broth, and a pint of half-and-half (go for the organic and stay away from those hormones).  In another pot, start some noodles to boil (I prefer egg noodles for this dish, but elbows work as well).

Then get out your can opener and add 2 cans of white (cannelinni or northern) beans, and 1 can of soy beans (can you say "healthy" baby?).  And if you want another health bonus, add some chopped frozen spinach.  Salt and pepper to taste (don't you just hate that when people eat your food and salt it before tasting it?...or is that just me?).

Once the noodles are done pour them into the chowder as well and there you go!  Okay, so this kind of chowder deserves some super tasty bread.  My choice would be an excellent loaf of sourdough, or homemade corn muffins (and if you have any leftovers, please send them my way).

God that was good!  And then we had leftovers so my husband enjoyed hot chowder the next day at work (it is cold here, and he works outside, and - as he keeps reminding me - he's Latin!).  Hey, this white girl does her part and tries to keep her man warm at work by filling up his belly...isn't that the way to his heart anyway?  Although I might beg to differ:)

So now I'm a Chowder Chick, or Chica, whatever.  The point is my chowder was jammin', and I'm happy to share it with you. 

Change the life of your next soup and become a Chowder Champ.  If you have kids, they'll love you for it (at least for a couple of hours, anyway).

Eat & Be Happy,

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

And become a fan of my new page "The Health Chick" -- I do all the boring research and you get daily tips on how to improve your health and life for the better!