Sunday, February 13, 2011

Just for the Halibut GIVEAWAY!

Can you believe it! I'm finally doing a Giveaway! This is not my "year anniversary" nor is it my "100th post" but I felt with all the kind words and tons of support, you all deserved a chance to win something (insert wink here) real nice. 


I have enjoyed every minute of this blog-venture. Except the time of course when I read over half my posts and discovered my horrid grammar, my lack of word use, and well, my absence in personality. Which actually hasn't changed much, but I'm working on it.


I determined that writing should feel natural (duh) and I shouldn't feel lost for words, or lack of in my case. I should write as if I'm writing to my best friend. Although if I were writing to my best friend you would probably see words like, "friggidy frick frick" and "Fo shiz".  Or maybe "son-of-a-biscuit-eater". Ya I know; I'll try to leave those out in the future.


Anyhow, all I'm trying to say is I'm proud of my site and the much needed blossoming I've done thus far. I'm also tickled- to- no- get- out (oops, that one snuck in there) to have met so many great bloggers. Some have inspired me far beyond food but just as equal I have come to admire and respect all the amazing talented home and professional chefs. It's a wonderful thing.


You are wonderful people.


So without further due.........


I present to you...........










A recipe first.



~Halibut Chowder~


I'll leave out the step by step process since I know how anxious you all are to see your potential prize. And I'm certain that most of you can read a recipe and follow the directions. However, I must show you the trick in which makes this soup so velvety and merit the "Chowder" title.


Two words


Immersion blender




Halibut Chowder




Ingredients


1 pound fresh wild Halibut, cut in 1 inch cubes
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery (I include the leaves)
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 potatoes, peeled and cut in 1 inch cubes
4 Tb olive oil
6 cups low sodium organic chicken broth
8 oz stewed tomatoes chopped
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk (organic)
2 oz of 1/3 less fat cream cheese (organic)
1/4 cup half and half (organic)
1 cup frozen corn
handful fresh parsley
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper


Toppings:


Tabasco
Sharp cheddar cheese
Saltine crackers




Directions


In large dutch oven (or large stock pot) heat 4 Tb olive oil. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 10 minutes just until veggies start to soften. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer about 10 minutes. When veggies are tender take immersion blender and blend just until mixture slightly thickens. You still want texture in this chowder so don't overdo it. Add Halibut and simmer another 10 minutes until fish is firm but no longer pink in center. Add corn, cream cheese, half and half, and cayenne pepper. Keep heat very low until cream cheese is fully incorporated and corn is heated through. Don't bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, add any of your favorite chowder toppings and dig in.




Two words








Make this


I actually had a lot of fun making this chowder. Partly because I always have fun whenever I make anything, but also because using a hand blender was the coolest, easiest way to get a little smoothness to your soup/chowder recipe. So when I bought mine........





I decided to buy two.

This ones for you.







And that's not all.........



This stainless steel blender doesn't come solo. It has a mini food processor attachment/A whisk attachment/And Mix measuring cup.

Also for fun, I threw in these kitchen towels by "Storehouse". They are very industrial and will last forever. You wont be disappointed. 

To enter:

*You must follow this blog.
*Leave me a comment after this post telling me what your favorite chowder recipe is.
*For an extra entry post this giveaway to your facebook page, and show that you've done so.
*U.S. and Canada addresses only please.

Also: Make sure you leave me a way to contact you.

Giveaway ends Sunday the 27th at 12:00 a.m.



Blessings to all, and good luck!




25 comments:

  1. LOL!! Ya!! I'm the first!!! My fav chowder dish is corn chowder by Ree D, and girl you know how to contact me:) Love ya and love your blog:)

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  2. My favorite chowder recipe is New England Clam Chowder. It is a pretty basic recipe. I am not as good of a cook as you are. I like EASY! :D
    I found this recipe online @ allrecipes & I love it.

    4 slices bacon, diced
    1 1/2 cups chopped onion
    1 1/2 cups water
    4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
    1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    ground black pepper to taste
    3 cups half-and-half
    3 tablespoons butter
    2 (10 ounce) cans minced clams

    Shared on FB: http://www.facebook.com/karimdunn

    If I win (*crossing fingers) you can contact me through facebook.
    I love reading your blogs! As soon as you post it on fb I head right to it!

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  3. Can I still enter even if I don't like chowda? :)I need one of those blenders!

    Congrats on your first giveaway!

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  4. I don't have a chowder recipe, but I can't wait to try this one! You have done such a great job with this blog! Congratulations! :)

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  5. Oh my goodness.. amazing give away! I LOVE chowder and could eat seafood every night for the rest of my life. Unfortunately I have yet to find a recipe for chowder I love. My favorite place to go to for chowder is The Shilo- I love that thickness of it :)

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  6. Oh my your Chowder look and sound awesome.. believe it or not, never made one:( My mom had always done it for me, and I didn't have one in ages!
    Giveaway..awesome Ang..this is really lovely
    I cant't find you on facebook..I'll tweet:) I'm following you here and...well sending you on tweeter my email!
    Thank you!!!:)

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  7. Love your chowder!! It looks so healthy and flavorful...just wish someone besides me in my family would eat it. I may just have to make a batch for myself! I really love Ina's corn chowder.

    PS...you write wonderfully...I think we all have those same doubts :)

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  8. Awesome giveaway! You rock! My favorite chowder is probably clam but I think that is simply because I haven't had many chowders. I really really really want to make a lobster bisque though.

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  9. Fist giveaway...woot woot! It's a fantastic one too! My favorite chowder is probably corn and chicken chowder. Although your chowder makes me want to start eating seafood...LOL.
    Brandie

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  10. That chowder looks so delicious. What a great giveaway and so king of you! I am now a FOLLOWER and my favorite chowder recipe is Corn and Shrimp Chowder with Mashed Potatoes.

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  11. I also linked your giveaway to my Facebook page!

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  12. I'm totally entering even though i have an immersion blender (because I never win anyway and I can always pass on the love). My fave is a Clam Chowder recipe from my aunt that is loaded with butter and cream and so so so good. We often have it for Christmas Eve. Where do you get your halibut by the way?

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  13. @CaryEither at Fitts, or Roths. They seem to have the freshest. :)

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  14. I think that would be my new favorite chowder! Love halibut in anything, and that looks fabulous. Lovely giveaway!

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  15. Just posted on my Facebook page:
    One of my blog friends is doing this great giveaway:
    Life given, eat well: Just for the Halibut GIVEAWAY!
    lifegiven-ang.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great giveaway...and a great chowder! I need an immersion blender so badly! My favorite would have to be a sweet potato chowder. Delicious! Thank you for sharing. I hope you are having a day of sweet treats and love. Happy Valentine's!

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  17. That's a very generous giveaway. Too bad that I'm not a US residential for this giveaway.

    I like your chowder...my family will easily finish this soup without a single drop of leftover.

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  18. Ok, I'm doing everything... following your blog, sharing you to my FB page, and here's my favorite chowder recipe! Thanks! You can contact me at tademas@hotmail.com if you need my address. ;)

    Potato Corn Chowder
    1 bag frozen corn
    1 can creamed corn
    1-2 cans chicken broth
    3-4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
    smoked salmon (as much as you can afford!)
    salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
    half and half or milk, if you're trying to be healthy

    Cook everything together except the cream, until potatoes are soft. Add cream/milk at the end, and just heat through to serve.

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  19. I don't know if I get to qualify since "I'm the best friend" but for "crying in the night" (LOL) my favorite chowder also has a favorite companion and location:) Cioppino at Amadeus. Love ya girl franny:)

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  20. My favorite chowder recipe is Corn Chowder by The Pioneer Woman!

    I told all my FB Friends about you!

    Now, If I can suggest you share the recipe for those scrumptious ribs you made that one day. MMMMM! I crave them! All the time! haha!

    Thanks for sharing all your awesome-ness Ang!

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  21. Oh Ang, that's a nice immersion blender! Mine is so ancient in pre dates my marriage! The chowder looks great!

    Congratulations! You have an award waiting for you! You can pick up your award at:
    http://littlekitchenontheprairie.blogspot.com/2011/02/very-stylish-blog-award.html
    Take care,
    lori

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  22. We make a wonderful corn and crab chowder and love our old, run-down immersion blender. Hope we get a new one soon (wink).

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  23. Congrats on your first giveaway, that's one awesome blender!

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  24. I love clam chowder. Love ya Ang!

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