Matt was on a long conference call with a Great Harvest owner, so it was my turn to make dinner!
Corn Potato Chowder –
I LOVE cooking alone – with wine and Pandora Big Band Swing. It makes me feel so grown up and like I’m in the movies.
I had a small glass of our leftover shriaz from last night while I chopped
I used Rachel Ray’s double bowl trick to cut the corn off the cob (just put a small bowl upsidedown in a big one to contain the kernels)
And I used Emeril’s Veggie stock as the base for the soup. I got this to review as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program. It was rich and worked perfectly in my soup!
I used this recipe from MyRecipes.com as my model: Corn and Fingerling Potato Chowder. We were supposed to have bacon in the freezer, but I couldn’t find it anywhere (and came out with frozen hands!) and of course I omitted the onion (did use garlic though). We also didn’t have half and half, but since I had 2% milk, I figured it would still be creamy. I also used regular potatoes instead of fingers. The secret ingredient: SHERRY. A big glug near the end. Perfection!
Topped with some Great Harvest Jalapeno Cheddar Corn Bread croutons
I was going to add pimentos too, but I forgot!
A splash more wine (in a different glass. Those red cocktail glasses always smell fine when I sniff them, but when alcohol hits them they get funky 
)
***
FINALLY finished packing for the Healthy Living Summit!! I fly to Boston tomorrow morning at 7:50. My mother in law Karen is graciously taking me to the airport at 6AM because my husband will be in the middle of an early morning workday!
I’ve packed a huge assortment of bars, oatmeal, fruit, nut mix, and a Dakota bun for breakfasts and snacks
And ate some trail mix as I packed!
The Summit has been 6 months in the planning and not only can I not believe it’s really happening, but it’s happening THIS weekend! I don’t think I have experienced such a cool idea —> event come to fruition. This entire event has been planned over EMAIL, and it really couldn’t have gone better. Tina, Heather, Meghann, Caitlin and Jenna are hardworking, smart, agreeable and so fun to work with. And we are so thankful to ZestyCook, FoodBuzz and Stonyfield for making this event possible! We could not have done it without their support and trust in us to make it happen.
We did not save any money in our budget for our own expenses during the trip and were ecstatic when Nasoya stepped in and offered to cover the “Boston Experience.” From luggage fees to JP Licks, I can’t thank them enough. I’m a huge fan of Nasoya tofu (I buy their organic firm kind at Harris Teeter)! Baked, BBQed, stir-fried 
Follow us on Twitter by searching for #HLS, and if you’re in Boston, check out the Summit website for the impromptu events (Ice cream, a festival and running).
Here’s to the start of an exciting weekend!!
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Have fun this weekend!
BTW, you have an AMAZING mother-in-law… I am so jealous; I wished my mother-in-law even liked me…
What a great looking chowder! Have a safe trip tomorrow, you’re going to have so much fin!
Yum- corn chowder! Chicken is tasty in it too, if you have that on hand.
love the corn trick-I’d never seen that before.
Looks like a great dinner!! Safe travels!
Yay for Boston!! Have a safe trip!
I love how organized you are in packing snacks! And that dinner/wine combo looks fantastic. Enjoy Boston, looking forward to the wonderfull updates!
The corn potato chowder looks great!
Thanks for the corn tip! Great soup
Can’t wait to read all about your experience in Boston!
That soup looks so yummy. Even without the onions.
Safe travels tomorrow!!
That chowder looks great!
Have fun this weekend – congrats on making it happen!
Your corn and potato soup sounds like the perfect beginning to a New England weekend
Mmm, I’m already thinking about fall, pumpkins, and soup weather!
Your dinner looks good! I hope you have an awesome weekend
Kath dinner looks amazing, and as for the Summit you girls are going to have such a great time! i’m really looking forward to hearing what a great time everyone had! travel safe tomorrow
Def going to make that chowder! I wish I was going to HLS!
That soup looks so tasty and comforting!
I so wish I was able to go to the Summit. It looks like tons of fun! I guess I’ll hafta live vicariously through all the blogs and be sure to watch the streamed versions! I AM glad to see it’s being streamed, then I don’t feel like I’m missing out on ALL of it!
Have a safe trip – looking forward to the posts from everyone!
Have an amazing weekend! Wish I was going to be there! I’m sure it will be a blast
Enjoy it!!! =) Cant wait to see the recaps + vids!
How exciting. Can’t wait to see all the pictures u will post about it.
I want to snag your treat bag!
Have a great weekend – so wish I could be there!
I can’t wait to hear all about your guys’ experiences in Boston! I really wanted to go, but it just wasn’t in my budget this summer. Maybe next year!
wow you had a real food network inspired night!
I had corn chowder tonight too, at Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge.
Have a safe flight, hope to meet you on Friday!
What a lovely dinner! I totally agree that it can be so fun to just get caught up in cooking and preparing a delicious meal.
SO exciting about Boston!!! I’m so excited to hear all of your stories.
Travel safely and good luck with this weekend!
See you soooon! Looking forward to it.
Have so much fun at the Healthy Living Summit! I can’t wait to hear all about it
Your corn & potato chowder looks and sounds really good! Have a wonderful time this weekend! Can’t wait to read all about the summit and see lots of pictures…
Just wondering, y no onions? hehe
Btw, ur blog is a great inspiration for me.
I can’t wait to meet you! YAY!
Kath what an amazing journey, I wish I could be there!!!
I love comfort food! Your soup looks delish!!
not sure if it’s just me, but your characters are still messed up on your page for me. ex: “Here’s to the start of an exciting weekend!! ” fyi!
Love your new bowls. So cute!
I hope the healthy living summit goes smoothly!!! But I’m completely bummed that I’m not able to attend.
I think I’ve commented this to you before, but I am a fellow onion-hater and I’m so happy you show that recipes can taste great without them. Some of my family members think I’m crazy!
Good luck and HAVE FUN tomorrow!
The summit is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to read all about it!
The soup looks fabulous!
The summit sounds SO exciting!! Wish i could have gone! Have fun. Looking forward to the pics
Jenn
Jac ,
I have a super nose that does not like the taste or smell of onions.
K
Have fun at the summit!
That chowder looks awesome!
thought you might be interested in the Cornucopia Institute’s Organic Soy scorecard and report on companies that market organic soy products. naysoya is rated high.
http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/05/soy-report-and-scorecard/
Have fun and travel well!
http://www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com
Then you should try caramelized onions!! they don’t have the pungent smell.
You and Matt are such a cute couple…both so driven in your business and creative interests and in cooking too! I want to be like you all when I grow up, haha
I live in Boston but was unable to get tickets to the Summit. I am looking forward to stopping by JP Licks. It’s one of my favorite places to get frozen yogurt so I’m always looking for an excuse to drop by!
Safe travels!!!
That looks amazingly yum! You’re always so creative!
Whoa that chowder looks amazing! Definitely sounds like a winner.
I love corn on the cob and if I have to cut it off the cob, I use a bundt pan!
soup looks good. i have tons of corn in my pantry so i may try it out substituting canned corned. it should be fine if i give it a good rinse (hopefully).
i also love to cook by myself with a glass of wine and great music in the background. so relaxing!
This is a silly question, but what brand is your oatmeal? Is it a store brand? My store brand packaging is exactly the same, but I’m pretty sure we’re shopping in different chains.
heidi ,
Good to know!!
Marlie ,
Quaker Old Fashioned!
Kath
That looks delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
That soup looks delicious! I’ll have to make something with corn while it’s so fresh and amazing.
Have fun at the summit!
K
Yum looks awesome!
Have an awesome time! I live really close (an hour away from Boston) but I was unable to make it. I hope to make it next time! Have a ton of fun!!!
WOW! That soup looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That chowder looks amazing, I’ll definitely be replicating that! Have a safe trip!
It’s look so delicious!