Corn and Potato Chowder

This is a combination of two Corn & Potato Chowder recipes that I found on various websites.  I adapted them to suit our taste.

Corn & Potato Chowder

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups corn (frozen or canned)

2 cups diced potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup onions, finely chopped

3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup fat-free half and half

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 package diced thick cut bacon (chopped)

1 tablespoon herbs de Provence

1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder

1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

Chives and Grated Sharp Cheddar as Garnish (optional)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1.   Simmer potatoes, bacon, onions and garlic in broth, water and butter until tender and the bacon is fully cooked.  

2.  When potatoes are tender, add half and half, corn and seasonings.  Continue to simmer on medium low for 15 - 20 minutes.  Soup should reduce and thicken.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3.  Sprinkle with Cheddar and chives.

Yields 6 Servings

Enjoy!

The Creative Cook

Root Beer Pulled Pork

This is not exactly my own recipe.  I combined two recipes (again) that I like.  The first I got from the Baltimore Sun newspaper probably at least fifteen years ago.  I used it many times and then I put it away.  I have since lost it somewhere.  It still appears in my brain, though.  I also remember people liking it very much.  I found a similar recipe on www.allrecipes.com but it did not use the root beer extract that I would not have in my cupboard for any other reason.  That is how I know that I used it in the original root beer pulled pork that I used to make. I added a few ingredients of my own.  This recipe is really easy to make and quite delicious.  Don't be put off by the root beer. As the recipe states, "using root beer to season slow cooked pork tenderloin makes a novel yet tasty method guarantee to win applause."


Root Beer Pulled Pork
Prep Time:  8 hours

Ingredients:

1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
1 (16 fluid ounce) bottle root beer
2 teaspoons root beer extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups onions, chopped
1 (18 ounce) bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce
8 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted

Directions:

1.  Place the onions into a slow cooker, put the pork tenderloin on top of the onions;
2.  Pour the root beer, root beer extract and vanilla over the meat.
3.  Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or until the pork shreds easily.  Note:  the actual length of time may vary to individual slow cookers.
4.  Drain well.  Stir in barbecue sauce.
5.  Serve over hamburger buns.

Enjoy!