Scallop Chowder

So I had a bag of frozen bay scallops in the freezer and nothing to do with them. The remedy? Chowder. Since I can't stand the look of clams, this is a win win for me.

Let me warn you, this chowder is not thick and creamy, nor does it ooze out of a can into the bowl. It is light, flavorful, and filling. Working with frozen scallops and not fresh? Take the suckers out now to thaw. Do it.

Start with a medium red onion and two ribs of celery diced. Saute them in a pot, the pot you're making the chowder in, in 1 tbs. of butter. Smell that? Glory.

Meanwhile, cube up 6 medium yukon gold potatoes. I like yukon gold for the taste and texture, use your fave. After cubing the potatoes, that should have given the onion and celery time to soften. Add the potatoes and immediately add 4 c. of broth, chicken or veggie. Don't have any? Water will be fine, it's what I use in a pinch. Still darn tasty. The liquid should just cover the potatoes, not drown them. Add spices. Set the lid on and wait for it to boil. What do you do while you wait? You can be ambitious and make some yeast rolls to go with this delicious chowder, or you can do what I did. Crack open a beer and sit on your porch while watching your dog amuse himself with a stick.

I cannot tell a lie. He has a stick, trust me.

Anyway, after the concoction boils for 10-15min, reduce heat to a simmer. Get the bay leaf out of there, it took me a good 5 minutes to find mine. Got those thawed oysters? Add them with two can's of evaporated milk. Stay away from sweetened condensed. Don't do it. Trust.....
Let those oysters hang for about 15-20 minutes, and viola. Tasty stuff. Remember that bread I didn't make? It was replaced by saltines. I'm classy like that. I needed a touch more pepper, but I like it spicy.

Ingredients:
1 medium red onion
2 ribs of celery
1 tbs. butter
6 medium potatoes
4 c. broth (or water)
1 bay leaf
1 tbs. tarragon
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
1 tbs. pepper
1 lb. bay scallops (frozen or fresh)
2 cans evaporated milk

Directions:
Saute diced onion and celery in butter for 10 min. Cube potatoes and add to the onions and celery. cover potatoes with liquid and add spices. Bring to a boil, boil for 10 min. Reduce to a simmer. Remove bay leaf. Add scallops and milk and cook for another 15-20 min. Serve right away.