What a magical holiday season we had at our log home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! Beside the hallmark snow fall that seemed to come on command, the food, fellowship and festivities with family and friends ranked in the top of everyone’s memories! Maybe it was the private sleigh ride on Christmas Eve through the apple orchids of Green Bluff, Washington.
It could have also been the impromptu snow clad wienie roast with home made chili, heated until bubbly hot, in a cast iron Dutch oven over crackling logs. The 15 degree outdoor temperature didn’t seem to detour family and neighbors sledding on our 10 acre icy run for a good two hours. I think the outdoor chilidogs had something to do with it too!!
News Year’s Day was the platform for a once in a lifetime boat ride on Lake Coeur d’ Alene, where guides took us to the nesting habitat of 198 American bald eagles in active flight. We even witnessed their eventful decent onto Lake Trout for their evening meal. Amazing stuff! I am 60 years old and the memories were epic. I could only imagine how our four grandsons viewed this holiday through the eyes and wonder of a child.
The last of the cabin holiday decorations have been secured in plastic bins and all the empty cookie tins have been wiped of crumbs. Assessing the refrigerator contents for food for the balance of our stay, I found some veggies that would be a great beginning for a hearty yet healthy corn chowder. However, I am still on a roll to make everything a memorable experience at the cabin so this soup is going to be taken up a notch by adding Ocean Mist Farm’s artichoke hearts, stems and crowns. Also, to mock a creamy base (without the calories!), I am going to add Ocean Mist Farm’s cauliflower to create a satisfying chowder that bridges the desire for the comfort food of December and the healthy food choices of January’s diet resolutions.
What is amazing about this soup is that it is gluten-free, dairy-free and hosts 10 healthy vegetables. Don’t’ be afraid to add your own combination of veggies from your fridge since that is how soup was created back in the day! However, two fresh vegetables I never forget is Ocean Mist Farm’s cauliflower, since this is what makes the chowder rich and creamy without the calories and fat, and the “heart” of the soup, which is Ocean Mist Farm’s artichoke hearts, stems and crowns! After all “love” IS the most important ingredient in cooking and Ocean Mist Farm’s artichokes are grown from the love of their family farms and are passed on to you with every spoonful of this hearty chowder!
From my heart to yours, here’s wishing you a happy and healthy 2018!
