Leftovers charmed by Jimmy Dean

Leftovers from holiday celebrations, save the hard candy flavors favorite'd only by me (clove, anise, horehound, licorice) were reconfigured into other dishes or rotated out of the household by the first of the year. At least that was what I thought until I reached into my freezer today.  In a crevice wedged between two large bags of pellet and cubed ice lay a large container of frozen corn kernels.

When a left over bag of holiday corn kernels meets a two for one (BOGO) Jimmy Dean sage sausage promo at BiLo the net result is a wonderfully rich soup for an otherwise damp day in the Lowcountry. We enjoy a large assortment of chowders and gumbos in our coastal community.  We even host a charitable soup challenge at the Westin Hilton Head Resort & Spa this month (every year) ~ worth the entry fee for every taste! But today a simple and hardy recipe for Sausage Corn Chowder from Taste of Home provides the comfort I'm craving.

Biscuits, crusty bread, flatbread crackers, you pick your accompaniment as the sage flavored sausage, marjoram and luscious cream are meant to be swiped up the sides of this bowl full of yummy!

Carrots not just for dogs!

First, the local veterinarian indicated that I might want to add more carrots to my dog's diet. Then came my Go Red Heart Checkup at Coastal Carolina Hospital. Back to back these experiences were clear indicators that it was time for the dog and I to adopt a healthier regimen in our daily living. So we started this new regimen with carrots just like the vet ordered(sans the dog biscuits, sans the junk food and fat for the human). Carrots come in a wide range of varietals so preparation options are as diverse as potatoes. For me there was a simple first step, start with a great soup. My favorite locale to indulge in carrot soup is at Christine's Cafe on Hilton Head Island. Chef Christine makes a delish Carrot Ginger soup which features frequently on her specials board. My friend Chef Richard also features a Curried Carrot Bisque recipe on his blog...but for this Sunday's experience I'm using a recipe straight from FoodBuzz for Cumin, Coriander & Ginger scented Carrot Miso Soup. For the dog simply adding grated carrot to his food or offering baby carrots as treats did not entice him to cross over to this new way of life. Instead, for him it required pureeing steamed carrots and adding (in his presence)2 tablespoons to his meal. I can only imagine what this must read like to the non-animal lovers out there (admit it you are rolling your eyes). [Were time not plentiful there is a local option for such wholesome goodness for canines, Lucky Dog Cuisine, which simply requires purchase rather than process]. Carrots aren't just for humans (dogs).

Celery and Pear Bisque

Cooler temperatures, scarves, hot soups, and warm beverages. Fall has arrived. I welcome this climate with open arms each year in the Lowcountry. It does not dampen the spirit of our coastal lifestyle. It gives rise to a great many more reasons to invite guests to our home, to clean out the wardrobe closet, to enjoy a bounty of produce previously not available at the farmers market and to explore our own back yards. My only regret is the limited daylight hours that this half of the year invokes. We still enjoy the beach, albeit not always in a bathing suit, accompanied by a chair, a great book, girlfriends and a thermos! Bon Appetit Magazine tweeted this recipe earlier this week and I immediately thought to pull out that vintage thermos and share it with the girls during our weekly beach ritual. Note rain does not make for a great beach day, so the ritual shifts to a toasty warm home environment, just in case you were wondering.

Ingredients

* 4 1/2 tablespoons butter
* 6 cups thinly sliced celery with leaves (preferably organic; about 12 stalks) plus chopped leaves (for garnish)
* 18 ounces unpeeled ripe Bartlett pears, cored, diced (generous 3 cups) plus 1/2 cup finely diced (for garnish)
* 1 1/2 cups chopped dark green leek tops
* 3 small Turkish bay leaves
* 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
* 1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
* 3 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth



Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2010/11/celery_and_pear_bisque#ixzz14PabYyv2