Now that we’ve entered the Lenten season, many of us are looking for new ways to prepare meals using seafood or cheese instead of meat for our Friday dinners. These two recipes are great for lunch or dinner.
The chowder goes well with the cheese wedges, and together they make a tasty and filling meal. They make a great combination to serve during Lent or anytime of the year.
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup diced, peeled potatoes
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 cans (6 1/2-ounce each) minced clams, drain and reserve liquid
1/4 cup flour
3 cups whole milk
3 slices bacon or 1/2 cup French fried onions
If using bacon in the recipe, cook it in large saucepan until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add potatoes, celery, onion, salt, thyme, pepper and reserved clam liquid to butter and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
In a quart jar with tight-fitting lid, combine flour and milk; shake until smooth. Gradually stir into vegetable mixture. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently.
Stir in clams. Heat gently, stirring frequently. Do not boil. When using bacon, crumble bacon and garnish each serving with bacon bits. If not using bacon, substitute French fried onions and garnish with those. Makes 4 (1 1/4 cup) servings.
ITALIAN CHEESE WEDGES
1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (to taste)
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Italian cheese
Separate crescent dough into 8 triangles; place on a greased 12-inch round pizza pan with points toward the center. Press dough onto the bottom and up the sides of pan; seal perforations.
Brush with butter; sprinkle with garlic powder and cheese.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is lightly browned. Cut into 8 wedges. Makes 8 cheese wedges.
Brotherton offers website readers one or more stellar recipes a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email her at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and she’ll see if she has it.
