I Finally Ate At Vicki's Lunch Van! (but then I had to cook dinner!)

So, for months I've been trying to figure out a way to get to try the Hamburger voted #1 in Alabama. Seriously…and even after eating our way through Destin and Seaside for the past few days I was on a mission! (I think I learned this trait early on…from my mother!) 

She is the queen of finding the best food anywhere at anytime!
by the way…it's not in a van anymore!

 But I'm serious, even after eating some of the best seafood, even after not sleeping for the past two nights thanks to a sinus infection and then the horrible storms that rolled through Sandestin around 3:00 am last night…even after knowing all that we had to do once we got back to Birmingham I secretly found the directions to this delectable hole in the wall kind of place! And boy, am I glad we did! It's actually in Montgomery and not very far off the interstate. Trust me on this one…it wasn't voted #1 for nothing! It was everything and then some! Jim loved it as much as I did…our only downfall was that we didn't split it! They are huge and we ended up only eating about half of it…it was still worth it though! And only $7.00 for the combo meal! Can you believe I'm even saying this? I seriously believe I missed my calling as a food critic! The kicker was when we got home and I had to go to the store to get groceries! Nothing even remotely sounded good since we were so full and I sat and stared at Pinterest hoping for inspiration! Then I remembered this yummy soup that I had made a long time ago! Thought I would share the recipe with you. 
This is the perfect go to meal when you want ease and a lot of leftovers.

 On top of that it was so wonderful to come home to chilly weather after being in hot, sunny Florida! 

Green Chili Potato Corn Chowder

8 Cups peeled, diced red potatoes
1 onion, diced
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
7-8 Cups chicken broth or stock
2-3 Cups white corn ( I used the frozen )
2 small cans diced, green chilies
1/2 Tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2-1 Tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Crystal hot sauce
1 package peppered gravy mix

2-3 Cups warm, 1% milk
6 ounces diced Velveeta cheese 
garnishes: shredded cheddar, green onions, hot sauce

Saute the onion in the butter until softened. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the diced potatoes and cook for 25 minutes covered. Add the corn, salt, pepper, thyme and green chilies. Let simmer for another 30 minutes, covered. Warm the milk and whisk in the gravy mix. Slowly add to the soup mixture. Let simmer another 10-20 minutes. Add the Velveeta and simmer until melted, stirring occasionally. Serve in bowls and let people top with toppings if desired. 
This is so yummy and completely satisfying served with corn bread or corn muffins. Let me know how you like it!

Was Christmas Just Yesterday?

Wow…I really think it was! It seems a blur…it seemed to drag on forever being that my shop has been decorated since the first week of November. And then, as if that wasn't bad enough…we bought our tree the day after Thanksgiving! I know, I know…people do that all of the time..but not me! However, it was nice to have Miller and Brad at home to help Jim with the tree and me not get sap all over my hands!

And now here we are….it's the day after Christmas and Holly and I are here alone! We treated ourselves to a day of shopping…well…we didn't see anything worth being out for but when we came home and finished up the last few details of cleaning Christmas decorations up we sat down to watch Steel Magnolias! 
Ok…maybe I wanted a good cry…maybe I wanted Holly to see a movie that I've always loved. I am not sure but what I do know is that our dinner was quite yummy! We had leftover Ham Delights from last night and I had a craving for Potato Soup since I've just gotten this lovely virus that Holly and Brad brought with them from New Orleans! 

I simply had to share this chowder recipe with you!

I hope your Christmas was extra special! After watching Steel Magnolias for about the 10th time…I am reminded once again the importance of family and friends! 
Life is precious!

Potato Corn Chowder

5-6 Cups diced, red potatoes ( peeled and rinsed well)

1 medium onion, diced

2 T unsalted butter

6 Cups low sodium Chicken Broth

1/2 T salt

1/2-1 T dried Thyme

1 t pepper

2 C frozen corn kernels

1 small can chopped, green chilies

1 2.5 oz package Pioneer Pepper Gravy mix

(yes, I do love steps that make it easier!)

2 Cups 1% milk

shredded cheddar cheese

dice onion and sauté in 2 T unsalted butter. add 6 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer…add potatoes and cook for 25 minutes covered. Add corn, salt, pepper, thyme and green chilies. Let simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Mix the gravy mix with the milk and heat in microwave just to warm….add slowly to the simmering soup and stir until blended. Let thicken for about 10 minutes. Serve in individual bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese.

The Ham Delight sandwich recipe is below!

This truly was one of my newest favorites! Hope you will try it! It was a nice change from all of the usual Holiday food!

Hope all of you enjoyed the best Christmas ever! 
Looking forward to a wonderful 2014!

xoxo

Ham Delight Sandwiches

2-3 lbs. shaved deli style ham ( honey maple by Boar's Head is what I use)

3 packages shredded Swiss Cheese

1 medium onion, quartered

2 sticks butter, softened

3 T yellow mustard

1 1/2 t Worcestershire Sauce

1 1/2 T poppy seeds

3 packages Hawaiian Rolls or Pepperidge Farm Party Rolls ( small square size)

In a food processor, chop onion finely and add mustard, softened butter and worcestershire sauce. Process until well blended. Add poppy seeds and stir or blend well. Slice rolls horizontally while all stick in tact. Lay top side over and place bottom side on a foil pain or thick foil. Layer 1/3 of the  ham and then 1/3 of the swiss cheese on bottom halves of al of the rolls. Spread butter and onion mixture over top halves of all of the rolls. Place top halves on to the sandwiches and then slice along lines of cut rolls…so as to make it easier to cut the sandwiches apart. It is very difficult once they are hot! Trust me on this one!) Cover tightly with foil all the way around the pan and bake at 325-350 for 30 minutes or until completely hot! So good!!! Everyone loves these!!! Enjoy!!