Recipes for a thick and a thin heartwarming crab soup and chowder
Last May, my friend visited from Detroit; while we were at the Diamond Peak Wine Bar, a local took a nice photo of her and posted it on Facebook. While I was looking at the post, I realized that I was the very pudgy lady in the background.
I was proudly wearing a new light teal t-shirt, and it was lumpy because of my fat and posture. Immediately, I texted my friend to remove the image from Facebook. That picture of me was seared in my brain nonstop. It lived in that shadowy part of my brain, and I do not like it. I see it now.
The date of that photo was six months and 11 days before my birthday, and I had two possible futures. I could continue on that path, or I could hit the reset button and change the course of my life.
I had a deadline and I chose to reset. First, I publicly outed myself, so there was no turning back. I started documenting it on Medium. I started ‘Motivation Mondays’ with exercise and tips. I am planning on restarting it on the first Monday in March. I miss having a deadline and a goal. I slacked off. I am squishy, and my pants are tight. I hope you join me. Sorry, there is a firewall and it costs a few dollars a month.
https://medium.com/motivation-monday-holy-moly-that-fat-lady-is-me,
After taking that photo in December, I started misbehaving with my food. Plus, I admit, I am a fair-weather walker because I spent my childhood in a cold, drafty house in New England, I prefer to be warm.
I love chowder (Chow-dah) of any variety, and the thicker, the better. Thick chowder makes thick waists and big butts, which is why bulky sweaters are the norm in cold climates.
I am sharing two recipes that share very similar ingredients with two very different results.
Daylight Crab Chowder is the heavier version of this recipe, so I see this as a lunch both calorically and ingredients-wise. Eat a cup and take a walk.
Starlight Crab Soup is a healthier version of the two recipes. This recipe is broth-based. It is a nice choice as a dinner soup or even as the main dish. *Creamed corn is an option.
Daylight Crab Chowder
This version is a creamy warming chowder that hugs you like your favorite sweater. I love having a mug of this chowder while snuggled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, watching movies.
16 ounces lump crab meat
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup bell pepper, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
½ cup celery, chopped
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
This makes it a Chowder
1 pound red potatoes, cubed
1 can cream-style corn
1 can chicken broth
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups milk
Chop all veggies into bite-sized pieces
Add your butter, onion, and pepper, and saute
Sprinkle flour in the pan and stir for about a minute
Add milk and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes
Pour in the creamed corn and chicken stock
Toss in the potatoes, liquids, and spices
Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat
Simmer potatoes until tender
Starlight Crab Soup-
I love this for a light dinner with a few spoons of rice and a small salad. It is fancy enough to eat by candlelight.
16 ounces lump crab meat
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup bell pepper, chopped
½ cup celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can cream-style corn*
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup white wine
chopped chives
Chop all veggies into bite-sized pieces
Add butter, onion and pepper, saute
Pour in your liquids and spices
Stir in the lump crab meat
Let simmer until cooked
So, I gained back a few pounds which means I have work to do. So, next week, I will be sharing my tips as I reboot my workout. I am going to turn on YouTube and find a ten-minute workout. I hope you join me next week to improve our beach bodies. Gotta run… literally… I gotta run.
