Shrimp and Crab Chowder

This was super easy to make. I had everything on hand except for the heavy cream and garlic Mozarella bread. I used frozen shrimp and canned crab meat. Obviously, fresh would have been best, but this was a meal that revolved around what was already in the pantry. Believe you me. It took all of my will power not to splurge on fresh seafood. Instead, I splurged on a nice bottle of cabernet.

Shrimp and Crab Chowder

 

1 lb lump crab meat

1 lb shrimp

2 to 3 large baking potatoes, peeled and chopped into one-inch pieces

16 oz frozen corn

1 yellow onion, diced

1 tsp minced garlic

1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled and diced

½ cup white wine

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 Tbs. butter

1 cup heavy whipping cream

8 oz. onion and chive cream cheese

8 oz. cheddar cheese

16 oz Chicken broth

3 Tbs. flour

½ tsp sugar

1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

Several dashed of Tabasco

1 bay leaf

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Sauté onion (season the onion with salt and pepper) in oil and butter until softened. Add bell pepper and garlic. Continue cooking over medium heat five minutes. Add white wine and continue cooking another 5 minutes. Add potatoes, chicken broth, sugar, Old Bay, bay leaf, paprika, Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Cook covered over medium heat 45 minutes.

 

Once potatoes are tender and flavors have combined remove the bay leaf and add the flour. Using an immersion blender, cream the soup to desired consistency. Then add cream, cheddar and cream cheese. Stir to combine. Then add the corn, shrimp and crab. Cover and let simmer over low heat until everything is cooked through.

 

Serve with crusty bread. Garnish with additional cheese and either fresh parsley or cilantro.

M and I really enjoyed having this for dinner. We added a simple salad and garlic cheese bread to complete the meal.

Purse update

I love it! Why am I so crazy when it comes to change?

My hair stylist has come to expect a phone call a day or two after I get my hair done. I always complain that I don’t like it or that something isn’t quite right. She reassures me that we’ll change it the next time around. She used to have me come in right away, but she knows me much more intimately now. It takes me at least a week or two to get used to a new style/color/cut. I’m in the salon a few times in between colorings to have my hair styled by another artist. It’s always then that I can compliment my hair genius.

This colder weather has me hankering for soup and sweets. I’ve got some blueberries and bananas in the freezer. I’m thinking banana bread and maybe some tortilla soup. Hmm.. Corn chowder might not be bad either. I’ve got boat loads of corn in the freezer as well. I busted into the blueberries late Thursday night to make some blueberry pancakes. It wasn’t me that wanted the pancakes, but the tequila. I swear.

My birthday kinda sucked

Yesterday was my 31st birthday. Instead of taking a day off in the middle of the week, I decided to take off on Friday for a long weekend. What a big mistake! Big! I was all excited about going to work and hearing, “Happy Birthday!” Nope, nada, zilch. Instead, the world was broken and somehow it was my fault and I had to fix it. Yeah! Work can be so much fun. My birthday started with me crying at my desk. Other than my husband and my Mom, no one said a word to me about my birthday.

Poor M. I really wanted this purse that I saw on-line. M got it for me. The crappy thing is that it’s not very pretty in-person. In fact, it looks like a giant green alligator with straps. When I mean giant, I’m talking about a 500 lb. amphibian. It says that it is real leather, but I’m beginning to wonder. What’s worse is that he got it on sale. The website clearly states that all sales are final. Boo! I can’t tell M that I don’t like it. He was so proud of his surprise purchase. At least I’ll be noticeable in a crowd. Look for an awkward alligator slung over my shoulder. Yep, that’s me.

Maybe it will grow on me.

We celebrated with a mini dinner at Chili’s. I ordered ‘off menu’. I know. I’m so cool. I wanted a fish sandwich. Believe it or not, they made one just for me and it was great. Mind you, this is Chili’s we’re talking about. Good, but not 5 star dining. The best part about the meal was going down memory lane. M and I used to walk over to Chili’s at least once a week  a few years ago for happy hour. It felt just like that last night.

My real birthday dinner is this weekend. I am having two. One at Javier’s and the other is a home cooked meal at my Mom’s with the fam. This weekend should make up for such a crappy birthday yesterday. Off to work now. I only hope that today is better than yesterday. I keep hinting at M that I want to be a stay-at-home wife. He laughs out loud every time that I mention it.

Zuni Cafe’s Eggs

Check out Alexandra’s blog for this fantastic recipe. Think toasted bread crumbs and eggs, but better. I was amazed at such a simple recipe. So freakin’ good!

I’m a Bueno Head

Yep, that’s right. I’m a Bueno Head! There is something about Bueno that makes me go crazy! I’ve incorporated it into our weekly routine. It’s not like M is complaining. He loves the place. All that we have left to show of our dinner is this Bueno take-out bag. I think I devoured my entire meal in less than 4 minutes. I admit, I love me some Bueno. My staple is the chicken soft taco, but I add in a guest appearance all of the time. Take tonight for example. I went with my standard two chicken soft tacos and added a tostada. Hello beans and crispy tortilla! This combo fit the bill tonight. It was just what I was craving. I’m full now (secretly, I could eat like 10 more tacos and 5 more tostadas), but could use a little something to quench my sweet tooth. That one teeny tiny Dove dark chocolate piece isn’t quite cutting it.

Is anyone else out there a closet Bueno Head? What is your go to staple when you need to sooth a sweet tooth? And, I mean the hidden in your pantry will do type of quencher.

Appetizer Weekend

We stayed in all weekend and made it an appetizer weekend. Dinner both Friday and Saturday nights consisted of appetizers only. So much fun! We had everything from stuffed mushrooms to a cheese spread. I picked up a really tasty cheese from Central Market. The Kerrygold Dubliner cheese was extra yummy. Plus, it made us feel all Irish inside. Along with the Kerrygold came goat cheese, mascarpone, camenbert, stilton blue and aged Parmesan. We were up to our eyes in baguettes and roasted tomatoes. Pure heaven in my book. Give me wine, bread and cheese and I’m a happy girl.

Sunday was all about the Rachel Ray experience. I know that everyone bags on her, but I really like her recipes and they come together quickly. We made the Rachel Roni which consisted of broken spaghetti and dried mushrooms. It was a mock risotto. Oh my! This is a keeper. M and I were surprised at how delicious this one turned out. We can’t wait to munch of the left overs this week.

Happy Monday everyone. My birthday is less than two weeks away. In our house, that means a little bit of birthday goodness up until the big day! Whoo hoo!!

Popcorn troubleshooting

I need your help guys. M and I have been enjoying our Whirly Pop every night. Popcorn is the perfect little snack to team up with our evening cocktails. It seems we have a problem. The newness of this great gadget has worn off and we’ve been left asking ourselves the same question over and over again; “Why is this popcorn not crunchy/crispy enough?” Any suggestions/tips for us?

Monte Cristo

Sorry guys. No pics as my camera was at home. I’m enjoying a cold one right now. Mmm…

Corner Bar had Monte Cristos on their Saturday menu. Holy cow! I love new menu items. Especially when they taste great too! I hope they add them to their everyday menu. I wonder if I can convince the hubby to walk over there with me tonight for another sampling.

Breakfast

There is nothing better than a great breakfast to start the day. My favorite is a melody of mixed veggies, edamame, tofu, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, chili powder and salsa. It’s good. Oh so good!

I’m craving the weekend in a major way. I’m struggling at work lately. I’m tired. I feel like I live at the office these days. I wake up. I go to work. I come home. I eat dinner. I go to bed. That’s pretty boring. It sounds like i need to spice things up (aka take a day off). April is a coming. That’s my closest three day weekend. Bummer. I was hoping for sooner.

Happy Wednesday!!! Think good thoughts to get me through to the weekend.