February Cookbook Challenge

[J]

Welcome to another month of reading! Hopefully you have enjoyed the Cookbook Challenge thus far and are looking forward to the coming months! In preparation for February's challenge I have created links to our catalog so you may find plenty of new recipes to be inspired by.

February's theme: Chili, Chowder and Gumbo.

Guess what? National Chili day is February 25th, 2016. Learn more about the origins of chili here.

Click on the following links to visit our catalog:

Chili and Chowder

Gumbo

It is often hard to find books specifically titled Chili, Chowder or Gumbo but you can usually find recipes for these in cookbooks with these key terms in the title slow cooker, soup or stews.

I myself will be participating in a Chili/Chowda (I'm told this is how you say chowder if your from the North) cook off on February 6th and look forward to sharing my creations with you then.



By the way - my secret ingredient for Chili - A Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar.

[Ann]

Good Luck with the cookoff. I use cocoa powder in my chili (and cumin). :)

[Ingrid]

I will go for Chili or Chowder since I don't like Chowder. We have a chili cook off for the Suoerbowl so that might be a good chance. Chowder is not something I've tackled though so maybe I'll do both this month!

[J]

Ingrid - I have a great recipe for a Corn and Crab chowder! - It's not from a book but it won people's choice two years ago at the Chili/Chowda cook-off I participate in yearly. Some chowders that I have tried are not that great - I particularly dislike chowders that have chucky potatoes - blah. Good luck with chili for your Superbowl cook off.

I have not actually tried a Gumbo before so I'm really looking forward to trying a Gumbo out this month - happy reading and happy cooking y'all!

[Ingrid]

I would definitely take a copy of that chowder recipe!

[J]

Can do - be on the look out - I will post it asap!

[J]

Everyday I get to the library and remember that I forgot the Corn and Crab chowder recipe - that stinks - I hope I remember to bring it with me tomorrow to post for all you fine people.

Here's an update on the Chili/Chowda cook-off I participated in at the beginning of February:

My chowder did not win :( - I tried a new recipe - and while it was delicious (Sausage, Potato and Corn) the other chowders beat me. In their defense - they were award winning!

My husband took over my chili duty and created his own to enter into the competition - and wouldn't you know it he won People's Choice Chili. That "Luck"y man - you know since our last name is Luck - HA!

Hope you all have had a fine February and enjoyed researching Chili, Chowder, and Gumbo recipes - since there are not many books with those titles.

Feel free to share your favorite recipes for Chili, Chowder, and Gumbo here - and keep a look out for next months challenge.

[J]

Don't forget National Chili Day is February 25th. Eat more Chili! It's good for you - I think.

[J]

Crab and Corn Chowder

1 Poblano Pepper
1 Tbs Butter
1 Onion
3 Stalks Celery, chopped
1 Red Pepper, chopped
2 Potatoes, cubed
2 Tbs Old Bay
¼ Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Tsp Flour
2 oz Sherry
32 oz Fish Stock
16 oz Crab (Claw Meat)
3 Ears Corn, cut away from the ear (about 1.5 cups frozen)
2 cups Fat Free Half and Half
Juice for 1/2 Lemon
2 Green Onions, chopped

Place a large soup pot over high heat. Add poblano and cook, turning occasionally, until the skin begins to blacken and blister - about 5 minutes. Remove the pepper and chop.

Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften. Add the celery, red pepper, potatoes, old bay, cayenne, and flour. Stir to coat the vegetables and spices. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Add the sherry and scrape up any bits of vegetables that stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add the fish stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and cooked through. Add the crab, corn and half and half. Heat through. Stir in the lemon juice. Garnish with green onions and additional Old Bay, if desired.

[Nathan]

I missed National Chili Day, but will be making Big-Batch Chili from Southern Living's Soups, Stews & Chili this week. Will be substituting Icelandic skyr in place of the sour cream, so looking forward to the outcome!

[J]

Nathan wrote: " Will be substituting Icelandic skyr in place of the sour cream, so looking for..."

Is the Icelandic Skyr similar to Greek Yogurt? I must admit I am not a fan of Greek Yogurt but think it is fine for chili's - I'm totally curious to know how fabulous your chili came out!