TODAY Food Club

Here's a fabulous dish from my 2017 Red Carpet Menu for Oscar®!

Manchester By The Sea is such a moving film. The depth of the characters and the pain... the most horrible circumstances and the examples of love, the fight of the human spirit, and the grace on display. The performances are excellent. The whole feeling of the movie has you immersing yourself into this world. Was I a blubbering mess? Yes I was.

I knew from the first hint of buzz, that if it got the Best Picture nomination, I'd be doing a chowder. I knew it would include bacon to make it a "man's" chowder - haha. However, in keeping with the aromatic and delicate flavors coupled with the spice and heat of this year's dishes, it was going to have to be very well balanced. I admit, my first attempt wasn't exactly right and it was making me nervous! I'd filmed it and even sent out a photo of it but, nope! I had to make it right, as the character of Lee tries to make things right in the film. And I certainly did!! A couple of tweaks was all it needed thanks to my father and my good friend Barbara DeBisschop.

Here’s how:

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 bulb fennel, diced
• 4 scallions, chopped finely
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups seafood stock
• 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
• 1 lime, juiced
• 16 oz frozen corn
• 2 dried red chili pepper, deseeded & sliced
• 2 tsp curry
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 lb shrimp, shelled, deveined, and chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
1) Heat oil in a large pot. Sauté fennel, scallions, ginger, and garlic until translucent. Whisk in the flour, making a roux. Mix in the bacon.
2) Stir in the stock, coconut milk, lime juice, corn, chili pepper, curry, salt, and pepper. If it’s thicker than you’d like, add a bit more broth or some water - taste and adjust spices. Bring to a boil then let simmer. 3) Add the shrimp. They'll be pink and cooked through in about 3 minutes. Plate, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

All I really needed to do was to add the flour and the stock instead of water. If you're not a shrimp fan, you can substitute with whatever seafood you like best.

Manchester By The Sea may be somber and heartbreaking, but this “Manchowder Of The Sea” is a bright and heartwarming that will lift you up! It's delish!

Annette