LOBSTER CORN CHOWDER

When local corn is available, I can’t get enough of it. As the days get shorter and the evenings cooler, I love to make LOBSTER CORN CHOWDER. It’s summery yet hearty enough to serve big bowls for dinner. 

First, I make the stock with the lobster shells and corn cobs, then add lots of fresh corn, lobster meat, potatoes, bacon, celery, and some fresh chives. This is summer comfort food at it’s best—I may just have to make a pot this weekend!

CAST-IRON SKILLET MAC & CHEESE

Homemade mac and cheese can be time-consuming to prepare. This version is quick and easy, on the table in just about 30 minutes total! The spark for this recipe came from a close friend, who is a whiz in the kitchen.  She casually combines ingredients without using a particular formula. She goes by feel, adding handfuls of cheese and spoonfuls of flour until the mixture right. Then she stirs in the cooked macaroni, pours everything into a casserole dish, and runs it under the broiler for a few minutes. The blast of heat creates an instant crust—no need for breadcrumbs.

Daddy's Favorite Meat Loaf

How many recipes do you have that look like this? Ripped quickly from the pages of old magazines. This is how at least 50% of my recipes appear. They are yellowed and stained from years of use and ingredients. A lot of my recipes have been yanked, clipped or torn from the pages of old periodicals. This is a scan of a meatloaf recipe I tore out of a magazine back in 1994. It is a staple here in our home. Nothing fancy and really easy to make. Just right for a cold Winter's night!

Shrimp with White Beans and Spinach Ragout

Most of us are finding ourselves in full-on holiday mode. Each day we become just a bit more busy than the day before. Here at Porter Central, we have been keeping late hours trying to finish all of our shopping, decorating, letter writing, baking, cleaning and the work we do within our community.