By Amy Story

Cold-Weather Clam Chowder

INGREDIENTS

Three 6.5 oz. cans of minced clams, strained with reserved broth

1 large onion, diced

2 stalks of celery, diced

2 medium carrots, diced

3 medium potatoes, diced

3/4 c. butter

1 qt. half-and-half

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

Salt

Cayenne to taste

Black pepper to taste

Additional red wine vinegar for a splash on top of chowder in bowl before serving and eating

PREPARATION

> In a large skillet over medium heat, place veggies and reserved clam juice.

> Add enough additional water to cover and cook veggies until they are tender.

> In another large saucepan, place butter and cook over medium heat.

> Once melted, whisk in 3/4 c. all purpose flour until smooth. Slowly add in one quart of half-and-half, and keep stirring to ensure creaminess.

> Add tender vegetables to the sauce, along with accompanying broth. Stir and heat through without boiling.

> Stir in minced clams without getting them too hot, if they do, they will get a little tough if overcooked.

> Add 2 Tbsp. of red wine vinegar, then 1-1/2 tsp of salt and ground black pepper according to taste.

> Stir until everything is completely mixed.

> When serving, add a splash of the red wine vinegar to taste.

Note: High fives went down in a Treasure Valley kitchen recently as two grown adults behaving like adolescents made their first, and I do mean first, batch of clam chowder. They even got a grudging “pretty good” from a genuine adolescent who rarely, if ever, comments or compliments.

Happy Spiced Cocoa

INGREDIENTS

Powder mix

2/3 cup powdered cacao

3 Tbsp. turmeric

6 tsp. ground ginger

6 tsp. ground cinnamon

3 tsp. ground black pepper

3 tsp. ground black cumin

Dash of sea salt

Dash of cayenne pepper (optional, to taste)

1 Tbsp. drink powder

Mug of warm whole milk

Honey or raw sugar (optional, to taste)

PREPARATION

> Mix dry ingredients and store in sealed container for future use.

> Warm milk to temperature of your choice. Add 1 Tbsp of the powder, add sweetener if desired, and whisk thoroughly.

It’s easier to do this in a small pot or larger mug that gives room to whisk without making a mess. Enjoy!

Note: Growing up in chilly eastern Idaho lent us many an opportunity to find beverages to help get thawed out. Forty below? No thanks! As the fun of age (and sometimes a wee bit of stress) moves in, a hot drink plus an anti-inflammatory remedy seems almost too good to be true. This cocoa is a mood booster and inflammation buster.