Howda Abouda Some Chowda

Apparently spring and summer have come and gone here in the great Pacific Northwest. Don't get me wrong, it was a great week, but alas, it once again feels more like winter again.

We had a few days with temps in the 70's and even managed to get one day where the mercury topped eighty. The last couple of days, and for at least a few more, it has and will continue to only top out in the fifties. The good news is the tulips are in full bloom and will keep in their spectacular display with the cooler temps.

We had planned on going out to the coast for the first camping trip of the year, but opted to stay put when we heard the forecast. Good move on our part too as it was drizzly and generally blechy out there. Instead, we had some good family time around home. Went and watched "Monsters vs Aliens" at the theater. (good choice if you have young ones) We also bought a puzzle to put together. That was a lot of fun too. I'll have to post about all the puzzles mom and I used to work on when I was a kid. Plenty of great memories there.

So what does all of this have to do with the title of this post? Nothing yet, but I'm getting to that.

One of the meals we had was clam chowder. Thought I'd share what I like to do to make store bought soup taste soooooo much better.

Please excuse the less than great photo

Quantities intentionally left out - Use as much or as little of the following, depending on your taste, or, as my grand mother would have said, "Pour it in until it looks right."

Cube and cook a couple pieces of bacon (not crispy)
Peel and par boil some potatoes
Cube some celery stalks and red onion

In a large soup pot melt a small amount of butter and add the celery and onions. Cook till tender. Add canned soup, bacon, par boiled potatoes and additional clams. Add a bit of whipping cream, half and half or milk to thin a bit. (Let your own calorie count be your guide here) Heat slowly until hot all the way through. The only other seasoning I add is a bit of black pepper.

Ladle into a bowl and add some oyster crackers and/or dip in sour dough bread. Eat a bowl full, then go back and get another one. Eat that one and even though you'll be stuffed, have just a wee bit more cause it tastes so darned good. Lay back on the sofa and complain about how full you are and tell the person next to you, "I shouldn't have had that last bowl." Watch as they nod in agreement and tell you the very same thing.

Trust me, canned soup never tasted so good.