Golden Clam Chowder Recipe

Comfort food at its best! Yes, you can have a warm, homemade bowl of Clam Chowder for dinner tonight. This soup is seasoned expertly and the thyme adds a great dimension of flavor.

Ingredients

2 celery ribs

2 medium carrots

1 medium onion

2 teaspoons olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

2 cans (6-1/2 ounces each) minced clams, undrained

1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, divided

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Directions

Finely chop the celery, carrots and onion. In a Dutch oven, saute vegetables in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, clams, clam juice, 1 cup water, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Gradually stir in milk; heat through. Combine cornstarch and remaining water until smooth; stir into chowder. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in bacon. Yield: 7 servings.

Wood-Smoked Tri-Tip with Sicilian Herb Sauce

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt or coarse sea salt

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 well-trimmed 2 1/2- to 2 3/4-pound tri-tip beef roast

3 cups oak, mesquite, or hickory wood chips, soaked in water 1 hour and drained

Directions:
Blend thyme leaves, garlic cloves, dried oregano, and coarse salt in mini processor until garlic is finely chopped. With processor running, gradually add lemon juice, then olive oil. Season herb sauce to taste with pepper and transferto bowl. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.

Sprinkle roast generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat).

If using gas grill:
Wrap wood chips in foil; pierce foil all over with fork. Remove top grill rack, place foil packet directly on burner, and replace grill rack. Place roast over packet and grill uncovered 6 minutes (wood in foil will begin to smoke). Turn roast over. Move to spot on grill where heat is indirect and medium-hot. Cover grill and cook until thermometer inserted into thickest part of roast registers 128°F to 135°F for medium-rare, turning roast occasionally, about 13 minutes.

If using charcoal grill:
Sprinkle wood chips over coals and place roast on rack. Cook roast uncovered 7 minutes. Turn roast over. Move roast to spot on grill where heat is indirect and medium-hot. Cover grill and cook until thermometer inserted into thickest part of roast registers 128°F to 135°F for medium-rare, turning roast occasionally, about 13 minutes.

Transfer roast to platter. Let stand 10 minutes. Thinly slice roast across grain. Serve, passing sauce separately.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Danish

Recipe from Lauren's Latest

Ingredients:

1 tube crescent rolls

6 oz. softened cream cheese

1/2 cup pumpkin

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

for the glaze:

2/3 cup powdered sugar

4 tablespoons heavy cream or 1 tablespoon milk

splash vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, spices, flour and vanilla. Set aside.

Pop open crescent roll dough and unroll, leaving crescents in rectangles. On an ungreased baking sheet or silpat, lay the crescent roll rectangles together, lining them up width wise. Dough should be almost the entire length of a half sheet pan.Press edges together to even out edges and seal any holes. Cut 1/2 inch diagonal strips up each side of the dough. Carefully spread cream cheese filling down the center of the dough to be about 2-3 inches wide. Fold 1/2 inch dough pieces up over filling alternating sides to get a braided pattern. You may have excess dough once you reach the end of the danish, so fold them in as best as you can. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until filling is set and crescent dough is golden in color. Cool before removing from baking sheet.

Once danish has cooled, remove to serving platter. In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar, vanilla and cream to create icing. You may need to add more cream to get the desired consistency. Drizzle icing over danish. Cut into pieces and serve.

Mom’s Baked Chicken & Spinach Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb. pasta (I used whole wheat shells)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs.), diced

1/4 cup olive oil

8 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. salt

5 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1/4 cup white wine

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Set a large pot of water to boil. Once it comes to a rolling boil, salt it and cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain.

While the pasta is cooking, set a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, heat the olive oil then add the chicken. Brown the chicken on all sides – about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and simmer with the chicken until it’s fragrant and begins to turn golden – about 3 minutes.

Add the salt. spinach and white wine to the skillet and cook for an additional 3 – 5 minutes, or until the spinach begins to wilt. Toss the contents of the skillet with the pasta and place in a casserole dish. Cover with cheese and bake for 25 minutes.

Makes about 8 servings.

Fall into Baking: Apple Pie Bars

My hubby loves apple pie. This recipe has made it way more convenient to pack that fall flavor into his lunch without being too messy or taking up too much room.  These Apple Pie Bars turned out so "tantalizing-ly" tasty, I've prepared a few batches for my co-workers. 

(P.S. My daughter wanted me to tell you all that this recipe is "super yummy.")

Apple Pie Bars

Yields 12 generous bars or 24 mini bars

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

12 Tbsp salted butter, cold and diced into cubes

1/4 cup +2 Tbsp buttermilk, chilled

1 egg yolk

2 1/4 lbs granny smith apples (about 6 medium apples)

2 1/2 Tbsp orange juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 egg white

1 1/2 Tbsp Raw Turbinado sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 recipe Vanilla Glaze (optional), recipe follows

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To prepare pie crust:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour and salt. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk and egg yolk to mixture and stir until mixture comes together and you are able to form a ball. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough while preparing apple filling.

To prepare apple filling:

Peel, core and dice apples into thin and small pieces. Place diced apples in a large mixing bowl. Add orange juice and 1 tsp vanilla and toss apples to evenly coat. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, granulated sugar, light-brown sugar, 1 1/4 tsp cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour flour mixture over apple mixture and toss to evenly coat, set aside.

To assemble pie:

Divide pie dough into 2 equal portions. Roll one portion into a 13x9 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Lift rolled dough into an ungreased 13x9 inch baking dish (the easiest way to do this is to fold the dough in half and then fold in half again, then transfer folded dough to one corner of the dish and unfold to it's original shape to cover entire baking dish). Toss apple mixture once more and pour into baking dish over pie crust. Roll remaining dough into a 13 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch rectangle and place rolled dough over apples (folding and unfolding as previously noted). In a small mixing bowl whisk egg white until foamy, brush egg white over top pie crust (you will only need about half of the egg white). In a separate small mixing bowl whisk together 1 1/2 tbsp Raw Turbinado sugar with 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over top pie crust. Bake in preheated oven 50 - 60 minutes until golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a toothpick. Remove from oven and allow to cool at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares. Drizzle with optional glaze or serve with vanilla ice cream. Store bars in refrigerator in an airtight container, rewarm in microwave if desired.

Vanilla Glaze

Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp half and half (milk could be substituted)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl, whisk until smooth. Add an additional 1/2 Tbsp half and half if you'd prefer a thinner consistency.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

(Recipe makes 30 cupcakes)

Cookies and cream has long been one of my favorite flavors. As an expert on the topic, this is how I rate this cupcake recipe.

Taste: The combination of cookies and cream is a near perfect pair.

Texture: The Oreo cookie on the bottom of each cupcake and the Oreo bits suspended inside creamy sweet cream cheese goodness are the best part of this treat.

Ease: Easy!

Appearance: Cute, unique. May cause mouth to water.

Expense: Less than $5 for me.

Pros: These kept well in the fridge for several days.

Cons: This recipe reminded me of how much I like Oreos. Uh oh.

Would I make this again? Yes, most definitely.

Ingredients:

42 cream-filled sandwich cookies, such as Oreos, 30 left whole, and 12 coarsely chopped

2 pounds (4 8-oz packages) cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten

1 cup sour cream

Pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 275°F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each lined cup.

With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Gradually add sugar, and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla.

Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream and salt. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.

Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 22 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving.

Reuben Sandwiches

Alright, everyone, tonight was Reuben Night at my house!  The recipe below is one I adapted from AllRecipes.com.  It’s still tasty using the pre-made Thousand Island Dressing, but I prefer to use my own sauce mixture.  The sauce is quick & easy to prepare:

Take ½ cup ketchup, 1 cup mayo, ¼ cup relish, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce and combine them in a small bowl.  And there ya’ have it!  Use this in place of where Thousand Island dressing is called for, if you prefer. 

Also, instead of using rye bread, which is ordinarily used for Reubens, I used peasant bread. I’ve done these with the rye before, but wanted to try it with another kind of bread.  I really enjoyed this version, maybe even more so than with the rye.   If you plan on using peasant bread, make sure to choose a loaf large in size because well-made versions are made with a lot of ingredients, which is also the reason this type of bread is more appealing to your taste buds. 

Eat this slowly and savor every bite!

Photo: Allrecipes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

8 slices rye bread

8 slices deli sliced corned beef

8 slices Swiss cheese

1 cup sauerkraut, drained

1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing

 Directions

Preheat a large skillet or griddle on medium heat.

Lightly butter one side of bread slices. Spread non-buttered sides with Thousand Island dressing. On 4 bread slices, layer 1 slice Swiss cheese, 2 slices corned beef, 1/4 cup sauerkraut and second slice of Swiss cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered sides out.

Grill sandwiches until both sides are golden brown, about 15 minutes per side. Serve hot.

Amish Friend's Caramel Corn

AllRecipes

Ingredients

7 quarts plain popped popcorn

2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional)

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup margarine

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You may use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don't worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.

Bake for 1 hour, removing the pans, and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.

White Chocolate & Cranberry Cookies

Ellie loves, loves, loves these cookies! 

Allrecipes

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon brandy

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Bacon Buns

Here it is--the last recipe of Bacon Week here at Yum In My Tum.  Add these bacon & onion filled rolls to your next supper!  My brother, who's a bacon-lover, couldn't get enough of these.  He requests them often when he comes to dinner at my house.  Thank you Taste of Home.

Photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 10 bacon strips, diced
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1 package (16 ounces) hot roll mix
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
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• Directions
• In a skillet, cook bacon and onion over medium heat until bacon is crisp and onion is tender; drain on paper towels.
• Prepare roll mix according to package directions. Turn the dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes.
• Divide dough into 18 pieces. On a floured surface, roll out each piece into a 5-in. circle. Top each with 1 tablespoon of bacon filling. Fold dough around filling, shaping each piece into a small loaf; pinch edges to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. Cover loosely with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray. Let rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes.
• Brush egg over buns. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps

This is a simple appetizer you make on the grill.   I don’t know about everyone else, but I like to use my grill year round, even in the snowy, winter months.  I’m not too worried about grilling in the cold, especially with this recipe.  Pop one in your mouth when they’re done & you’ll warm right up. 

Ingredients

6 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

12 slices bacon

Directions

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.

Spread cream cheese to fill jalapeno halves. Wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick.

Place on the grill, and cook until bacon is crispy.

Serve as an appetizer for the bacon lovers (or spicy food lovers) at your next get-together.