COOKING: Homemade Corn Chowder

Even though it is currently over 50 degrees in January, and even though I have my windows open as we speak, just last week it was blistery winter in good ol' New England, and my cravings were of the warm and soupy variety. I'm a bit of a recent soup/chowder convert because I had a long standing aversion to hot liquids as meals. This logic still makes sense to me, but now that I know the wonders of creamy tomato and hearty corn chowder I think I can look past the weirdness. 

I've made corn chowder a number of ways and have come to hone this mouth-pleasin' and quick 'n' easy method. This makes a ton (extra servings can be frozen) and it is vegetarian. Chow(der) down!

What You Need

2 Onions, Minced

2 Cloves Garlic, Minced

8 Small Red Potatoes, Diced

4 C Corn Kernels

1 Can of Creamed Corn

8 C Veggie Broth or Water

2 TBS Butter

Generous Splash of Half & Half

Chopped Scallion to Garnish

Salt & Pepper

How To Make It

1. Melt butter in a large pot and add onion, garlic, salt and pepper. 

Cook until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Add potatoes and broth/water to pot and bring to a boil. 

Reduce heat to low and cover and simmer until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.

3. Add corn and creamed corn and cook for 5-10 more minutes.

4. Stir in half & half and gently heat for another minute. 

There should be enough half & half to turn the chowder white in color.

5. Serve topped with scallion and more freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy!

xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: Cute Winter Accessories

Even I, hater of all things frigid, can't complain about this winter, with our barely there snowfalls and out of nowhere 60 degree weather (which, FYI, feels like a wonderful sauna in January). Perhaps you're one of the chosen ones who was graciously born and raised in a sunny locale or had the good sense to head south after college, but I'm still a New England gal and if there's one thing I've learned throughout my years, it's how to work an outfit when you're swathed in layers and layers of warm clothing.


A cute coat is a must since that's pretty much the only thing anyone will see on you for three months straight. Seriously - you have to love it. Fun gloves will distract you from the fact that you're using them to scrape ice off your car windows again. Leg warmers work well with tights if you're like me and simply cannot be forced to give up dresses in the snow and scarves a pretty much a no brainer. Earmuffs and ear warmers are great alternatives to hats plus they keep your hair less gnarly.


For me it's all about picking accessories that are fun and that I like to wear so that I feel a little less dead inside during the depths of winter. Putting on a pair of bright furry earmuffs is just so much more exciting that stuffing my head inside a generic gray beanie. So grab a polka dot scarf, a faux fur wrap or a vintage inspired coat - before you know it spring will be here!


xoxo,
Michelle