Meal: Clam Chowder, Crusty Bread and Apple Cobbler

Clam Chowder:
This soup recipe is a combination of a good chowder recipe and a good potato soup recipe which equals one great clam chowder. Baking the potatoes in the oven may seem like a longer step but the flavor is unbeatable.


Ingredients
4 8-ounce bottles clam juice
1 1/2 pound red potatoes
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
3 slices bacon, finely chopped
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery with leaves (about 2 large stalks)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 or 3 6 1/2-ounce cans chopped clams, drained, juices reserved
1 cups half and half
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper




Preheat oven to 400°. Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 30-45 minutes or until tender. Cool and coarsely mash.

While potatoes are baking, melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until bacon begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Add onions, celery, garlic and bay leaf and sauté until vegetables soften, about 6 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes (do not allow flour to brown). Gradually whisk in clam juice (including reserved juices from clams.) Add mashed potatoes, clams, half and half, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Simmer chowder 5-10 minutes to blend flavors, stirring frequently. Serve in hearty sized bowls with fresh crusty bread.

Apple Cobbler:
This is a speedy version I came up with when I wanted dessert fast and hot.

Ingredients
2 large apples, cored and sliced (skins remaining)

3 tbsp butter*

4 tbsp brown sugar*

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/4 cup rolled oats

Preheat oven to 400 °. Place apples in a shallow oven proof and microwave safe casserole dish. Top with 1 tbsp butter* and 2 tbsp brown sugar.* Cover with wax paper and microwave for 4-5 minutes. While apples cook in microwave, combine remaining brown sugar, cinnamon and rolled oats in a small bowl. Cut in the remaining butter until it resembles course crumbs.

When apples are slightly soft remove from microwave. Top with butter mixture and place in oven. Bake for 10 minutes or until bubbly.