It’s NFL Playoff Time…Sunday, January 21, 2018

1st game:  Jacksonville Jaguars take on the New England Patriots at 3:05 in Boston.  New England has home field advantage.

Being a Jacksonville Jaguars fan and considering they are underdogs, playing in Boston, I thought I would serve a Floridian take on Clam Chowder.  Everyone knows Boston is famous for New England Clam Chowder,  a white, cream based chowder.

I like a good cream based chowder, but I LOVE the Manhatten style red-tomato based clam chowder, particularly the Minorcan clam chowder famous in St. Augustine, Fl.   This chowder always includes tomatoes, but also Datil peppers which are only found in the St. Augustine area.

Robin Draper, in her Minorcan Clam Chowder descriptions states, “St. Augustine natives insist there is no substitute for the datil’s sweet-tart, citrusy hot taste.”

“A Brief History

Centuries ago, settlers from Minorca, an island near the coast of Spain were brought to Florida. They worked as indentured servants on Florida’s indigo plantations. Once here, the Minorcans created the rich chowder blending their Mediterranean cooking methods with local seafood, herbs and produce. This chowder has become synonymous with St. Augustine’s multi-cultural heritage and cuisine.”

You can read about the history of Minorcan clam chowder here on Authentic Florida: Simple and delightful pleasures for Florida living site.

With Jacksonville’s proximity to St. Augustine, famous for minorcan clam chowder, I included one of my favorite recipes, including Datil peppers.  If you can’t find Datil peppers you can buy Datil Hot Sauce.

MINORCAN CLAM CHOWDER

Serving Size: 10-12

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 green peppers, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 quart chopped clams
• 2 (16 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2- 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 datil pepper minced or 2-3 teaspoons datil pepper sauce
• 1 bottle clam juice
• 1 quart fish stock
• 2 cups diced red potatoes

Instructions

1. Cut the bacon into pieces with scissors. Fry bacon in a large soup pot until crisp.  Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Use the bacon as a garnish.
2.  Saute the onions, green peppers, carrots and celery until translucent, 10 minutes or so.
3. Add clams, tomatoes, tomato paste, and all the seasonings, Garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, bay leaves and the datil pepper or pepper sauce.
4. Add clam juice and fish stock.
5. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
6. Add potatoes and simmer 30-45 minutes.

Notes

Minorcan clam chowder famous in St. Augustine, FL.  This chowder always includes tomatoes, but also Datil peppers which are only found in the St. Augustine area.  If you can't find Datil peppers you can buy Datil Hot Sauce

By KathyMillerTime
What's Cooking America and Robin Draper's Minorcan Clam Chowder

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

2nd Game:  Minnesota Vikings match up with Philadelphia Eagles and although a slight favorite with the odds makers, they are the “visiting team” playing in Philadelphia at 6:40.

I asked my Minnesota friend, Jeff,  for a good tailgating recipe…Minnesota style.  He sent me this recipe from a fellow Minnesotan friend who ran a restaurant for 35 years.

His friend sent this link from Visit Minnesota  and recommended the most famous of all Minnesota Hotdishes… “Tater Tot Hotdish” .  I loved his recommendation…Tailgate with it or just kick back on your davenport and watch the game!  (When was the last time you heard the term davenport?…Google it

“Minnesota hot dish recipes, including the Tater Tot hot dish, are among the most famous of Minnesota recipes. The Minnesota hot dish is the subject of many jokes and even the title of a book. “Hot dish,” is one of those famous words and phrases that let the world know we speak Minnesotan.

These Minnesota recipes,  in most other parts of the country, are called casseroles.  You can expect several versions of this staple to appear at family gatherings and church basement suppers in enclaves of Minnesota culture that are rooted in Scandinavian traditions.

Pre baking Tater Tot Hot Dish

MINNESOTA TATER-TOT HOT DISH

Serving Size: 8

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (16 oz.) package frozen mixed vegetables
• (1 16 oz.) package frozen tater tots
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar jack cheese

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef with the onion.  Drain.
2. Stir in the soup, milk and vegetables.
3. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 baking dish.
4. Arrange the tater-tots on top.
5. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 30 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the tater tots are brown and crisp.
6.  Sprinkle the cheese over the tater tots, return the dish to the oven, and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

By KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

Guess what we are serving for the playoff?  Saturday night warmup…Minorcan Clam Chowder for the Jaguars.

Sunday game day homegate…Minnesota Tater-Tot Hot Dish.

Tailgating can be accomplished anywhere; on a college campus, at a pro stadium, or in the homes of fans.  It’s all about the people, the gathering of family and friends.  It’s about the food, the traditions and the passion for your favorite team.

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.

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