Corn Cheddar Chowder

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, diced well Most of a head of celery (1.5 cups or so), diced small, do this well 1 tsp salt One large carrot, diced small 1 bell pepper, diced 3 cups diced potatoes (4 small, 2 large), dice small 3 cups water (no more!, maybe a smidge less for a thicker chowder) 1 tsp dried thyme 1 lb frozen corn (one package usually) 1 cup milk (almond or oat works fine) 3-4 oz cream cheese, plain 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or similar) Black pepper and salt to taste Optional, 2 tsp chopped fresh dill Saltines (to crumble and add in) Instructions Heat oil and cook onions, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and salt until soft. Add potatoes, water and thyme. Bring to simmer and cook ~5 minutes. Add corn and thyme, simmer and cook another ~5 minutes until all veggies are tender Keep simmering. Meanwhile, add two cups of soup into a blender along with milk, cream cheese, shredded cheese. Whirl until smooth Pour puree back into pot and bring back to temperature gently Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add dill. Serve with saltines or crackers Notes Do not shortchange cooking times, more if anything Don’t add too much water Crackers are key to making it a 10. By itself maybe an 8 or 9

July 15, 2026

Creamy Sausage and Potato Soup

Ingredients Olive oil 1 lb ground spicy sausage 1 diced onion 3 diced stalks celery 3 large carrots sliced 4 cloves garlic minced 1 tsp thyme 1 tbsp garlic salt, 1 tbsp plain salt, 1 tbsp black pepper 3 heaping tbsp flour plain 4 cups good chicken stock 2 bay leaves 3 large potatoes diced large 1.5 cups light cream or half and half (use less if using heavy cream) 1 cup rice cooked according to package directions on the side Instructions Cook sausage in large pot with oil over med high heat. When close to cooked through add all veggies and thyme/salt/garlic salt/black pepper and cook until mostly soft (nothing has to be cooked all the way at this point). Add flour and cook for a couple minutes stirring. Add chicken stock, bay leaves, and potatoes. Bring to simmer and cook 30 minutes. Remove from heat and add cream. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice on side to add per preference. Or mix it in prior to serving.

July 15, 2026

Creamy Seafood Stew/Chowder

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil or butter 1 large onion, diced well Most of a head of celery (1.5 cups or so), diced small, do this well 1 tsp salt One large carrot, diced small 1 medium zucchini, diced 1 bell pepper, diced 4 cups diced potatoes (gold potatoes best), diced small 1 cup water 16 oz clam juice (can come in 16 or 8 oz bottles) 0.5 cup dry white wine Black pepper to taste 1 tbsp fresh dill 2 lbs thawed, cut to bite size, white/firm fish fillets 4 oz cream cheese, plain 1 cup milk, almond or oat is fine 1 lb small shrimp, peeled and deveined Saltines (to crumble and add in), these really make it good Instructions Warm oil or butter in large soup pot on medium heat. Add onion and salt, cook 5 minutes covered. Add carrots and celery, cook 5 more minutes covered. Add zucchini and bell pepper, cook another 5 minutes covered Add potatoes, clam juice, water, and wine. Simmer covered for 10 minutes at least (more is OK) Add black pepper, dill, and fish. Simmer covered for 5-10 minutes While fish cooks, puree in blender cup of hot soup, milk and cream cheese. Add back to mixture AFTER step 3 Add shrimp and simmer another few minutes until shrimp are cooked Serve with saltines

July 15, 2026

Decadent Potato Soup

Ingredients 8 strips bacon 2-3 tbsp butter 1 large yellow onion, diced 5 garlic cloves, minced 1/3 cup flour 2.5 lbs potatoes, diced 4 cups kitchen basics chicken broth 2 cups milk (can be cow or almond or whatever) 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tsp salt or garlic salt 2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp red pepper flakes 1/3 cup sour cream 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese On the side at the table (optional): ...

July 15, 2026

Famous Cincinnati Chili (5-Way)

Ingredients 2 pounds ground beef, fatty is ok 2 large yellow onions diced 8 garlic cloves minced 4 cups beef broth (kitchen basics is best) 1 15-oz can tomato sauce spices 2 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp worcester sauce 2 tsp salt or more to taste 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground cinnamon ? tsp all spice ? tsp cayenne 1 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp cloves ...

July 15, 2026

Fancy Steak Marinade

Ingredients Ingredients (marinade) 1-2 pounds of steak, dealers choice 6 minced garlic cloves 1 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp cayenne 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup worcester sauce 2 tbsp oil (any kind) ? cup lime juice 2 tsp salt or more to taste 2 tsp black pepper Instructions Place all ingredients in large bag or tupperware. Shake well and sit in fridge for 2 hours minimum. Shake the ingredients around every once in a while. Let warm up on counter for 0.5-1 hour before grilling.

July 15, 2026

Fondue (Cheese, Broth and Chocolate)

Ingredients Ingredients Cheese: ? lb gruyere (grated), ? lb fontina (grated), ? lb gouda (grated) 2 tbsp cornstarch 1 cup white sauvignon blanc wine 3 cloves garlic minced 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp brandy or whiskey or cooking sherry or whatever 1 tsp mustard (dijon or stone ground) ? tsp nutmeg Ingredients Broth: 4 full heads of garlic 3 tbsp olive oil 1 onion finely chopped 1/2 cup sherry wine (or red wine) 6 cups chicken broth Salt and pepper to taste (a decent amount) Ingredients Chocolate: ...

July 15, 2026

Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp

Ingredients Marinade: 2 pounds shrimp (jumbo, peeled) 8 cloves garlic minced 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 2.5 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped 4 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper To brush on after cooking: 3 cloves garlic minced 1/2 cup melted butter 2 tsp fresh parsley chopped Lemon wedges for serving Instructions Using marinade ingredients and in a bowl or bag, marinate for 2 hours Put shrimp on skewers and grill until done (4 min a side is a good starting point or until pink all around, DO NOT overcook) Place on platter and brush on the final set of ingredients. Serve with lemon wedges

July 15, 2026

Green Bean Salad

Ingredients 1 lb or 4 cups fresh green beans (stem on) 1/2 head romaine lettuce (2 cups) 1 red onion, sliced thin 1 cup feta crumbles 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped 2 tsp red wine vinegar 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tbsp olive oil Instructions Cook beans (stem on) until crisp. Leave stems on but cut off thin, wooden parts as desired Mix ingredients and dressing separate. Then combine in a large serving bowl!

July 15, 2026

Hawaiian Meatballs

Ingredients 50-60 frozen meatballs (homestyle seasoning variety work best, don’t buy italian or other flavors) one 20 oz can pineapple chunks (not crushed, not rings, etc.) 2.5 cups decent BBQ sauce, baby rays as an example Instructions Put it all in a pot, bring to simmer, stir well, and let simmer for 20 minutes Notes The frozen meatballs are necessary and don’t bother making nice ones, the sauce and pineapple influence the flavor so much, it doesn’t make a difference Serve over rice to make a main course Spear a meatball and pineapple chunk with toothpicks to make appetizers

July 15, 2026