Cheeseburger Chowder goes to Patriots football game

Friends who have been long term season ticket holders are always looking for a new soup/chowder to take for tailgating at Gillette Stadium. This year I suggested that they try my Cheeseburger Chowder. It is always a hit especially with men as it has a delicious cheesy flavor and plenty of ground hamburger. I suggested they serve them with Snowflake Rolls from Big Y for dunking.

I have highlighted the recipe on a previous blog and I have included a link for you to check it out. It can also be found in the Soup chowder in my first cookbook, the Taste and Tales of Massachusetts.

Station House 4 wins Rib Cook Off in Sarasota

Fire EngineThis past Saturday I attended the 12th annual Rib Cook Off to benefit the Sarasota Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund.  Thirteen teams from Station Houses from all corners of Sarasota County. Over 2,000 people attended and consumed over 3,000 pounds of ribs.  It was a warm day for March, but everyone happily chewed on ribs and voted for the one they liked the most.  My first stop was at table “M” which represented Station House 4 in Sarasota. I was very impressed with their product which I found to be moist, juicy and cooked just right.  What really impressed me were the 8 different sauces (all homemade) which were available for you to try with their ribs. I continued through the event and tried several more some I liked and other not so much.  Some were cooked too much, I’m not fond of crispy meat and others not enough.

Selecting Sauce at Station House 4Finally, the time came to vote and my choice was clear – it was the fire fighters from Station House 4. They also won first place in 2014.  I believe what sets them apart from their competitors are their selection of sauces. Others had sauces, but they were bought at Publix. This pictures shows a father and son trying to decide which to choose.

They won the People’s Choice and were selected number  one by the team of judges. The Florida Division of Forestry came in second and Station House 8 (located on Bee Ridge Road) came in third.  Congrats to all the winners.

Cranberry Country Style Baby Back Ribstasteofcapecod-button

Ingredients

4 pounds baby back pork ribs
salt and pepper
2½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup water
½ cup sugar or honey
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup chili sauce
6 tablespoons red wine or cider vinegar
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ Worcestershire sauce Read more

Cheeseburger Chowder for These Cold Winter Days

Cheeseburger ChowderFor the past few weeks, Massachusetts has been experiencing a taste of winter – snow, snow, and more snow, cold and winds. The cold isn’t so bad if it were not for the wind which goes right through you. On days like this, there is nothing like a hot bowl of soup or chowder and my Cheeseburger Chowder fits the fill. Serve it with a salad, some artisan bread and a glass of wine and you have a delicious hardy meal. The recipe is from the Taste and Tales of Massachusetts.

Cheeseburger Chowder

Ingredients

2 medium green peppers, chopped fine
1 onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 pound (8-ounce) hamburg or ground turkey
1 quart chicken broth
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
1 pint half & half or milk

Directions

1. Saute onions and peppers in large pot. Add hamburg and brown.
2. Add chicken broth. Mix flour with 1/4 cup of broth and blend well before adding to mixture. Bring to a boil.
3. Add cheddar cheese and half & half (or milk). Stir until cheese is melted.
4. Season to taste. Serve hot with a salad and French bread.

Yields 6 – 8 servingsMA front cover 6-08a