chowder

Across the country this month Oktoberfest celebrations are in full force. There's something for you, whether you want to savor the last of the Summer with a seafood festival or switch your mindset to Fall by enjoying one of the many harvest celebrations. Have a tip for another event? Leave it in the comments below!

• Santa Clarita, CA: Loose Goose Wine Festival — Oct. 1-5
• Corinth, MS: Kansas City Hog Wild BBQ Festival — Oct. 2-4
• San Francisco, CA: Oktoberfest by the Bay — Oct. 2-5
• Kansas City, MO: American Royal Barbecue — Oct. 2-5
• Napa, CA: Domaine Chandon Pink Party — Oc. 2
• New York, NY: Plate by Plate New York — Oct. 3
• Carpinteria, CA: California Avocado Festival — Oct. 3-5

To see the rest, read more

One of San Francisco's most famed dishes is white clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl. If you can't make it down to Fisherman's Wharf, you can savor this filling soup in the comfort of your own home. Don't be overwhelmed by cooking with clams; this soup is actually simple to make and comes together in less than an hour. The creamy soup is full of juicy clams and chunky potatoes. When served in a bread bowl it becomes a fun meal perfect for entertaining. To see the recipe, read more

While chicken noodle soup is always comforting, it's nice to experiment with exciting variations of the classic recipe. This week I decided to make a spicy, chicken chowder chock full of chunky vegetables. To enhance the creamy texture, I used fresh corn and pepper jack cheese in this one pot meal. This soup takes about an hour and half to make, so it's not one for when you are hungry and need food fast. To take a look at the steps it took to make this delicious soup, just read more

Chowders are a wonderful meal for this time of year, as they make a lovely transition from summer to fall. Not all chowders take hours to make and this one with poached halibut and soft sweet potatoes can come together in just 30 minutes. It's not too heavy on the cream either — the recipe calls for only 1/4 cup — and if you don't have saffron threads substitute saffron powder. Make this for dinner tonight. Get the recipe, read more

At a family gathering on Christmas day, my aunt Anne asked me, what's your favorite comfort food? I knew my response immediately: soup. I love soup! I find it the most comforting food in the winter and even on a cold summer's night. I love it in all forms, purees, broths, chowders, creams, stews. If it's bubbling, hot and full of flavor, I want to eat it. I'm not the only one who loves soup, because January happens to be National Soup month!

In honor of my aunt who started me on the subject of soups, tonight I will make her favorite bacon and crab chowder. I'll make others throughout the month (if you've got an awesome soup recipe, add it to the recipe database), but tonight I celebrate with chowder. To make my beloved comfort food, read more