sunday night...

i've made this recipe so many times and adjusted it, i feel it's ok to call it my own:

kelly's corn chowder

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 small onion, diced

3/4 cups baby carrots, sliced

2-3 celery stalks, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

4 medium red potatoes (give or take), diced

3 cups white corn kernels, fresh or frozen (the safeway brand is the best)

3 cups chicken stock

2 cups mixture of milk and half-and-half --the ratio depends on how healthy i want to be and if there will be enough half-and-half left for my coffee in the morning.

Pinch freshly grated nutmeg

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Remove puppy from your feet and leave on the couch, sleeping after an hour of manic hyperactivity.

Melt 1 stick of butter in a smal saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and saute for 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned, 3 or 4 mintues; set aside to cool to room temperature.

Check on puppy--he might have woken up and he doesn't seem to understand the concept of heights--find him moved up to your spot on the couch:

Meanwhile, combine the potatoes and chicken stock in a large stockpot, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, add the corn and simmer for 10 more. Spoon the roux into the boiling stock, whisking briskly so it doesn't lump. Bringto a boil. The mixture should become very thick.

check on puppy again-- he may be chewing on anything from a power cord to the iron leg of a table--find that he has walked across the couch to jake's spot:

In a pyrex measuring cup microwave the half-and-half/milk mixture for two minutes; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.

try to enjoy the chowder with puppy now completely awake and rarin' to go: