Good morning GUSdarklings! I woke at about 3 a.m., tossed some food at Roger the Cat and hopped back into bed listening to the white noise of BBC on my 1976 Philips boombox that still sounds danged good. No luck. Got up at 4:00 a.m. and started watching old Law & Order SVUs and waiting for the light. Dang -- it starts closer to 6 a.m.
Stretch the Office Cat making it hard to get to court on time:
I hate the loss of light. It means the sunflowers start bowing their heads and the veggie leaves start to yellow. Fall is a gorgeous time even if it is the preamble to the long slog through winter when it seems always dark. So, how to fight back the beast that is the dark psyche that matches the dark sky. Food, of course.
I'm making a sourdough starter today. Hopefully, it will be healthy through the winter. I'm organizing recipes for the coming stews, pot pies, soups and bread, of course. It still feels like summer but I can feel the creeping cool and dark and kitchen smells. We all need distractions from the cigs and whatever else ails us.
Stretch the Office Cat making it difficult to actually do my job:
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Summer Corn Salad
Ingredients
5 ears corn, boiled or grilled
3 table spoon olive oil
1 tomato, seeded and diced
fresh cilantro, to taste (can substitute parsley)
1 red onion,chopped
1 green bell bell pepper, diced
pepper
1 lime,juiced
salt
pepper
Directions
Remove kernels with paring knife and place in large bowl. Add tomato, onion, and green pepper. Toss to combine. Add lime juice and olive oil. Snip in cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve
Sweet Corn Chowder
INGREDIENTS:
5 cloves garlic
Kosher salt, to taste
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups pumpernickel bread, cut into ¾" cubes
Freshly ground black pepper and paprika, to taste
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
8 tbsp. unsalted butter
4 ribs celery, minced
1 medium yellow onion, minced
8 cups fresh corn kernels
1 tsp. curry powder
¼ cup flour
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup milk
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 325°. Put 1 clove garlic on a cutting board and sprinkle with salt. Using a knife, mince and scrape garlic against cutting board to form a paste. Transfer garlic paste to a large bowl and whisk in oil. Add pumpernickel cubes, season with salt, pepper, and paprika, and toss to coat; transfer to a baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until toasted, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with Parmesan; toss to coat evenly and set aside to cool.
2. Heat butter in a 6-qt. pot over medium heat. Mince remaining garlic and add to pot along with celery and onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook, partially covered and stirring often, until vegetables are soft but not browned, 16–18 minutes. Add corn and curry powder and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is soft and fragrant, 18–20 minutes. Vigorously stir in flour, then add chicken stock, half-and-half, and milk; bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, about 10 minutes. To serve, divide soup between serving bowls and top with croutons.
Corn Relish
INGREDIENTS
4 cups fresh corn kernels
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small red onion, minced
1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and minced
½ green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and minced
½ red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and minced
2 cups apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp. dark brown sugar
1 tbsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. dried mustard powder
½ tsp. ground turmeric
Juice of 1 lime
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine corn, garlic, onions, jalapeños, and peppers in a bowl. Divide corn mixture evenly between 2 one-quart glass jars with tight-fitting lids.
2. Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard, turmeric, and 1 cup water in a 4-qt. saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat; stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Remove pan from heat; stir in lime juice.
3. Pour vinegar mixture over corn; seal jars. Let cool. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Big Jim Chilis Stuffed with Corn and Jack Cheese
1 1⁄2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Salt
1 12-oz. bottle beer
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 1⁄2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears)
Freshly ground black pepper
1⁄2 cup grated monterey jack
6 medium big jim or poblano chiles, charred and peeled
Corn oil
Sour cream and lime wedges
1. Combine 1 cup of the flour, the baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Gradually add beer, whisking until batter is smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft, 4–5 minutes. Add corn and cook for 2–3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, allow to cool, add cheese, and set aside.
3. Make an incision the length of each chile and remove stems and seeds. Stuff corn filling into chiles, then close with toothpicks.
4. Pour oil into a large, deep skillet to a depth of 1 1/2". Heat over medium heat until hot. Dredge chiles in remaining 1/2 cup flour, shake off excess, dip chiles into batter, and fry until golden, about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels and season with salt. Serve with sour cream and lime wedges, if you like.
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WELCOME, WELCOME TO OUR NEW BUDDY -- Boston Beans!!!!!
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