Funk Winter!

We have had enough so we decided to do a "Family Lobster Bake" on Sunday and had a blast. We had "the grandparents" over to say thanks for the babysitting and we really enjoyed. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to do a family game night on Friday night!

So on Sunday, I started with a seafood chowder. I will include the recipe here. Everyone RAVED about it and I have to admit- it was GOOD!

Then we enjoyed lobsters, steamers, corn on the cob, rolls, cornbread and my homemade horseradish sour cream mashed potatoes (recipe also included below)and my wild green, raspberry salad.

For dessert, my mom surprised me and made one of my old favorites- her peppermint angel food cake- pink and white and a perfect valentine treat. We also had brownies that I frosted in a festive way too!

Our night was topped off with belly laughs as we watched Diana eat green beans- she was SO PROUD of herself that she kept turning around with beans all over her face and smiled at her Papas!!!!

Holly's Seafood Chowder
Ingredients

* 12 slices bacon, chopped
* 3 small onions, chopped fine
* 2 carrots, chopped fine
* 3 celery ribs, chopped fine
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 6 teaspoons all purpose flour
* 1 and 1/2 teaspoon paprika
* 16 ounces bottled clam juice
* 3 cups water
* 1 and 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 3 russet red skinned potatoes
* 1 pound firm white fish fillet such as halibut or cod, skin discarded, flesh cut into 1 inch pieces
*1/2 pound shrimp
* 1 6 oz can of oysters with juice
*1 10 oz can of lump crabmeat
* 4 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Directions

To make the fish chowder:

In a heavy saucepan cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Pour off fat and in pan cook onion, carrot, and celery in butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Sprinkle flour over mixture and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Stir in paprika and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add clam juice, water, and cream and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

While mixture is coming to a boil, peel potato and cut into 1/4 inch dice. Add potato to mixture and simmer chowder, uncovered, 12 minutes. Stir in fish and simmer until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley, bacon, and salt and pepper.


Horseradish Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

* 4 pounds golden creamer potatoes
* 2 bay leaves
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 2 cups sour cream
* 1 stick unsalted butter
* 3 tablespoons horseradish, or 1 cup coarsely grated fresh horseradish
* 2 tablespoons cooking water
* Chopped fresh chives, for garnish

Directions

Put the potatoes into a large pot, add the bay leaves, 2 tablespoons salt, and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and drain the water from the potatoes, reserving 2 tablespoons cooking water. Smash potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add the sour cream, butter, horseradish and season well with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh chives.

ENJOY :)