Thayer in the Kitchen

I had some fresh corn on the cob but the kernels were overly filled out and not as tender as I prefer for eating as corn on the cob. I thought they were a bit starchy, but I decided they would be perfect for soup. I found this great recipe online. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter 1/4 # bacon, diced 1 cup chopped onion Kosher salt and black pepper 3/4 cup chopped colored pepper (red or green) 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons flour 3-4 cups chicken broth 4 cups diced potatoes (I didn't peel mine) 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (preferably fresh) * 1 cup half and half 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme) Pinch cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley Note: We got enough corn from 2 ears of corn for the soup. Directions Melt the butter in a large pot and cook the bacon until crisp. Remove. Add the onions and peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft; add garlic. Cook for about a minute. Sprinkle in t

  I was asked to bring potato salad to a Memorial Day barbecue cookout.  I have a number of potato salads that I like but I wanted to use one that called for dill and found this one on line. It sounded good and easy and had been well reviewed. I would definitely recommend it. Ingredients: 3# Yukon gold potatoes, peeled Kosher salt and Penzeys coarsely ground black pepper 2-3 stalks celery 1 cup mayonaise 1 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1/4 cup tightly packed chopped fresh dill 1-2 tablespoons vinegar 1/2 lemon, fresh for juice 1 tablespoon grainy or regular Dijon mustard Directions: Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with about 1" of cold water. Leave the potatoes whole. Season with salt and cook the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork--20-25 minutes.  Drain the potatoes and leave them in the pot until they are room temperature. Finely chop the celery and combine with the remaining ingredients in a bowl large enough to hold all the pota

This soup turned out to be tastier than I expected which is why I'm including it in my blog so that I don't forget about making it again. I think it is due to the celery root puree. This makes it necessary to add another step to preparing the soup but it is definitely worthwhile.  You could substitute another grain for the cracked wheat, such as farro.  However, I happened to have cracked wheat available and it cooks quickly. 1 celeriac (celery root 3/4 - 1#) 1/2# onions, sliced (yellow or red) 3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced or chopped 3 tablespoons unsalted butter Kosher (or sea salt) and cracked black pepper 2 tablespoons olive or sunflower oil 1 cup cracked wheat Several sprigs fresh thyme if available, otherwise use dried thyme 1 stalk celery, diced -- note, I used my vegetable chopper to chop all the root vegetables so they were about a 1/2 inch dice 1 carrot, diced 1 turnip, diced (I didn't have a turnip so I used a daikon radish) 1 medium potato, unp

This recipe is a vegan version of the soup joumou that Haitians devour on New Year’s Day.  This was a great soup to make because we got so many of the ingredients in our winter storage share.  It is a delicious soup! Ingredients 1# kabocha squash, seeded and cut into 8 pieces (I used a baby dumpling squash from our CSA farm) 1 can whole coconut milk (not lite) 2 quarts vegetable or chicken broth, divided 2 tbsp sunflower oil or olive oil 1 cup diced carrot 1 cup diced celery 1 cup diced yellow onion 3 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, divided (dry can be used if fresh is not available--use less) 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves) 1 tbsp sea salt, divided 2 cups shredded green cabbage (1/2#) 1 cup chopped leek or green onions 1 cup peeled and diced sweet potatoes 1 cup diced potatoes (2 potatoes) 1 cup diced turnips 2 tbsp garlic powder 2 tbsp onion powder 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes Pinch of cayenne pepper 1/4# small pasta (op

I found this recipe on Chowhound and think it is the best recipe for corn chowder I've ever made.  Its thick, rich and creamy with lots of fresh corn.  I'm sure you could also make it in the winter with frozen corn. Ingredients: 2 oz. thick cut bacon diced small 1 medium onion yellow onion, chopped 3 cups fresh corn kernels (this took 5 ears of our corn) 3 cups whole milk (or mix 1% milk with some 1/2 and 1/2) 1 pound potatoes, diced (I didn't bother to peel mine) 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup heavy cream Chopped chives Instructions: Brown the chopped bacon; then remove and set aside.  Add the onion to the bacon grease, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened--about 5 minutes.  Meanwhile place 1 cup of the corn and 1 cup of the milk in a blender and blend until smooth. Add the corn milk puree, remaining 2 cups of corn and 2 cups of milk, potatoes, and additional salt and pepper.  Stir to combine; bring to a simmer

The combination of fish and potatoes in a creamy broth makes a very comforting meal for a winter night.  I found this recipe in a copy from a page of a cookbook: Blue Plate Specials.  Apparently it was a special on Friday at a cafe in Portland.  I have adapted it somewhat for our tastes. 3 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup onion 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 cups diced potatoes (1/2") no need to peel if the potatoes are organic 1# cod fillets or haddock if available chicken broth 1 can evaporated milk 1 cup whole milk or 1/2 & 1/2 3 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled Melt butter and cook onion until transparent.  Add pepper, garlic powder, salt and potatoes, plus enough chicken broth to barely cover the potatoes.  Boil until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.  Check to make sure there is enough broth and add more if needed.  Lay the fish on top of the cooked potatoes and onions.  No need to cut the fish up.  Cover the pan an

We joined Sitka Salmon Shares http://sitkasalmonshares.com this year.  "We home deliver fish-loving Midwesterners high quality, responsibly-sourced seafood direct from small boat family fishermen in Southeast Alaska through our Community Supported Fishery."  In July we received Pacific Cod and Rockfish.  This chowder was a good solution for an easy dish that combined some of our fish plus quite a few vegetables. 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil or sunflower oil 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced 2 medium stalks celery, 1/4-inch pieces 1 medium onion, chopped medium 1/2 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 Tbsp. flour 2 cups milk (fat free or 1%) 1 cup or 1 small bottle clam juice (water or broth can be substituted) 2 large unpeeled red potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch pieces 2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning 1 cup half and half (fat free is OK) 1 cup frozen yellow corn 1 pound cod or tilapia fillets, skinless, cut into 1-inch p

Our extended CSA winter share was coming to an end along with all the wonderful sweet potatoes we got in our boxes.  When I was a child I was convinced I hated sweet potatoes except for the sweet potato puffs we had for Thanksgiving.  I never make those anymore but I have come to really appreciate sweet potatoes and their versatility. This recipe is for a hearty winter soup which features sweet potatoes. Sweet Potato Corn Chowder 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed     1 tablespoon   oil  (sunflower oil which we get from our CSA farm is good)                                      12 oz. frozen corn kernels, thawed                1 cup water 1 tablespoon oil 1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery 1 cup diced red onion (yellow is fine too) 1/4 cup shallot, finely chopped or a little more onion 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon salt 1-2 potatoes, cubed 2 tablespoons fre

Some time ago I posted a recipe for Cream of Broccoli Soup on the blog.  At that time I was still looking for an even better recipe.  This recipe that I found on Mel's Kitchen Café website is excellent.  Give it a try when you've got a bunch of broccoli and are craving a warm thick comforting soup.  The author said it was hearty and delicious.  I also like this soup because it has other vegetables besides the broccoli and I'm all about using vegetables! 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots, diced small 1 cup chopped celery, diced small 3 cups chopped potatoes, diced small 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 4-5 cups coarsely chopped broccoli; peel the outside of the tough stalks before using 4-6 slices bacon, chopped 3 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup flour 3 cups milk (I used 1/2 skim milk and 1/2 half and half) 3-4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese   1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon dry mustard In a large saucepan, combin

We got a bunch of radishes in our first CSA box of the season which had the radish greens with the radishes.  The radish tops were much too nice to just toss into the compost.  I found this recipe for Radish Top Soup on allrecipes.com that I adapted.  It is a tasty soup that's very easy to make.  Another use for the green tops are in green smoothies.  I tried it today with a another bunch of radish tops that I had.  I used the greens (about 2 cups), 1 cup each of mango and pineapple (frozen), 2 bananas and some vanilla almond milk.  The greens added color but didn't change the flavor of the fruit. 2 tablespoons olive or sunflower oil 1 cup (approx.) chopped onions 3 green onions or you could use 1 or 2 green garlic stalks 3/4 cup chopped celery 2 medium potatoes, coarsely chopped 4 cups raw radish greens (if you don't have enough you could add turnip tops or spinach) 3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth 1/3 cup heavy cream (or 1/2 & 1/2) 5-6 sliced radishes

In my previous post I mentioned the cookbook, Fresh Food Nation.   This is a another recipe that I tried and liked.  It called for preserved lemons which I just happened to have in my refrigerator.  I think you could substitute a little grated lemon peel.  6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 8 oz. mild fresh chilies, such as Anaheim, banana or Poblano peppers, cored, seeded and thinly sliced crosswise. You could also add jalapeno for a bit more heat or just use sweet peppers if you prefer.  1-2" piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped 6 cloves of garlic, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons turmeric 1/4 teaspoon crumbled saffron (not essential) Kosher salt to taste 1 medium chopped 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons preserved lemon, chopped 1/2 cup stuffed green olives 1 1/2-2# potatoes cut into chunks, only peel if necessary.  You can use less potatoes if you prefer. In a large deep skillet, lightly brown the chicken in the olive oil.  Add the chilies, ginger, garlic, oni

This is a copycat recipe for the soup served at Olive Garden where it is described as a soup of spicy sausage, fresh kale and russet potatoes in a creamy broth.  I made a few adaptations to the many recipes that I found online.  It is a delicious soup which could probably be made a bit more healthy but that's up to you if you decide to try it. Ingredients 1# bulk Italian sausage 2 slices bacon 1 cup yellow onions, diced 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 (32 oz.) container chicken broth (4 cups) 4 cups potatoes (no need to peel) cut into large cubes 4 cups chopped kale 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 cup heavy cream (or substitute 1/2 and 1/2--it just won't be quite as rich) Garnish: shredded Parmesan cheese Directions Roughly chop the kale.  First remove the stems which are very tough and don't get tender.  I know because I tried cooking kale one time without doing this.  I have not repeated that experiment. B

We had Thanksgiving yesterday with one of my daughter's and her family.  They requested that I bring mashed potatoes with leeks and said I had made the dish before. I didn't remember making it but I did a bit of searching and found what sounded like a very good recipe on the Williams-Sonoma website. 4 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled and preferably organic 8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter 4 leeks, white and light green portions, finely chopped and rinsed well 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature 1 cup 1/2 and 1/2 1⁄2 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper or to taste   Cut the potatoes into large, uniform chunks. Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add water to cover and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover partially and cook the potatoes, stirring once or twice, until they are very tender, about 30-40 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile, in a fry pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the le

We went to my son and daughter-in-law's for the July 4 weekend.  I was asked to bring potato salad, but my son doesn't like mayonnaise.  I found this recipe for French Potato Salad on the Food Network.  It was originally a Barefoot Contessa recipe.  I made a few adaptations. This is a great salad for picnics because you don't have to worrry about keeping it cold. It is good at room temperature. I love the variety of fresh herbs in this version.  I have an herb garden on my deck so at this time of the year fresh herbs are readily accessible. If I made this recipe again I would double the recipe. 2# white or red potatoes or a mixture (if organic, no need to peel) 2 tablespoons dry white wine 2 tablespoons chicken stock 3 tablespoons white wine or tarragon vinegar 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt 3/4 tsp. black pepper 1/2 cup good olive oil 1/4 cup green onions (white and green parts), chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 2 tablespoons c

This is a delicious comfort food supper.  Easy to make and great to eat.  We've been getting great potatoes from our CSA farm.  This is an excellent way to use some of them.  Here in Wisconsin it is getting chilly, but I still have my rosemary plant outside on my deck in our container garden.  Your kitchen will smell wonderful as you roast your chicken dinner with fresh rosemary. 1-2 navel oranges 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more as needed 1/2 tsp. dried chile flakes 1# red potatoes, cut into chunks 2 medium red onions, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick circles 2- 5-inch sprigs fresh rosemary, plus 3/4 tsp. minced 6 chicken thighs (about 6 oz. each), trimmed of excess fat and skin (bone in or boneless--either would work) Heat the oven to 425°F. Finely grate 1 tsp. orange zest. Stir together the zest, oil, 1 tsp. salt, and the chile flakes in a small bowl. On one end of a large rimmed baking sheet, toss 1 Tbs. of the oil mixture with the potatoes, onions,

I have had problems making dishes with the bunches of pea shoots that have come in my CSA box.  I've made the mistake of not getting rid of the stems.  That was definitely not good.  It was like chewing on a bunch of little sticks.  No matter what the dish is, this is an unpleasant experience. The most recent thing I tried was this soup. Good!  I avoided using the stems in the soup. I'd make it again which is why I'm posting it. •1 Onion •3 Slices Bacon •1-2 Medium Potatoes •1 bunch of Pea Shoots •2 cups Chicken Stock •Sour Cream •1-2 tbsp chopped fresh chives Chop the bacon and chop the onion finely.  Fry in a saucepan together until the bacon and onion are starting to brown. Chop the potatoes coarsely. Add the potato and the chicken stock to the saucepan. Boil for 10 minutes until the potato is soft. Place the contents of the sauce pan into a blender, and blend until smooth.  Then add the pea shoots and blend until a smooth, bright green, thick soup consistency

We actually like Swiss Chard, but I know quite few people are not fans.  I tried this recipe with our most recent bunch of Swiss Chard from our farm.  It is layered potatoes, cheese and tender greens and makes a lovely skillet cake.  Arthur and I both decided it was a keeper. 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped 3 medium russet, white, or yellow finn potatoes, thinly sliced (no need to peel) Salt and pepper to taste 1 bunch Swiss chard, leaves coarsely chopped, chop the stems and keep separate 1 cup grated Jarlsberg or Gruyere cheese (or whatever you have available) Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat butter and oil in a (10-inch) seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, onions and chard stems, cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Spread out vegetables evenly in the bottom of the skillet and remove skillet from heat. Arrange a third of the potatoes in a sing

This is recipe that I borrowed from Martha Stewart.  We really liked this combination of mashed potatoes and kale.  I used less bacon than the recipe originally called for.  You could certainly use more if you wanted to.  The quantities in this recipe are quite flexible.  This would be a good brunch dish with fried eggs.  The patties are also tasty for supper.  2 pounds potatoes, peeled or not--your choice coarse salt and ground pepper 1 leek, halved lengthwise, rinsed well and sliced thinly.  I used some baby leeks from our CSA farm that looked like green onions.  I used the entire bunch. 1 bunch kale (3/4 #), be sure not to use the stems which are too tough.  Chop the leaves coarsely 1/4# bacon, diced 2 tablespoons butter A little flour Cook the potatoes, kale and leeks until tender in boiling salted water probably for about 10-15 minutes.  Drain and mash vegetables.  The mixture does not need to be smooth.  Cook bacon until crisp.  Remove with a slotted spoon.  Add to the

This soup is not really a summer soup. However I don't want to lose the recipe because its a yummy soup which uses basic ingredients so I'm posting it now.  Be sure to use a very good, preferably local cheddar cheese since this is what really gives this soup its flavor. 1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips 1 large onion, chopped 3 pounds baking potatoes (about 6), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (if the potatoes are organic and the skins are in good shape, there is no need to peel the potatoes) 4 cups chicken broth 1 teaspoon salt 6 ounces cheddar, grated (about 1-1/2 cups) 1/4 cup chopped chives or scallion tops In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat or, if you don't have 2 tablespoons, add enough cooking oil to make up the amount. Reduce the heat to moderately low. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasi

I belonged to a meat CSA for 3 months.  We decided not to continue because we don't eat very much meat during the months when we are getting all our CSA vegetables.  What we received was excellent and we may do it again at a later time when the pick up location is more convenient and we need more meat. One of the items we received was a very large roasting chicken.  I think having leftover chicken is great because you can do so many things with it.  I always brine chicken that has actually walked around. This way you can be sure of getting a very tender juicy chicken with an excellent flavor.  Use a simple brining recipe.  This is one and would be plenty for a 6-8 # whole chicken.  For each gallon of cold water used in the brine, add the following: 3/4 cup coarse kosher salt 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 cup boiling water 1 gallon cold water 1 tablespoon black pepper Dissolve the salt & sugar in the boiling water and let cool.  Add the rest of the water and pepper.  A s