We've made it through 11 days of October. In Birmingham, we've only seen a few glimpses of fall though. Earlier this week, the weather was my absolutely favorite temperature - boots with a chance of sweater.
I've only really experienced the fall season over the past six years since living in Birmingham (I'm from Destin, FL originally). I've grown very fond of Alabama's fall weather, and there are a few staples that I've learned it must include:
As previously mentioned boots, sweaters, light jackets, and fun scarves.
Football. Roll Tide y'all.
Pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice, pumpkin everything!
Outdoor frolicking.
Soups, crockpot meals, desserts, and tons of yummy warm fall foods.
Speaking of soups and yummy food, Tuesday night I made a delicious Potato and Corn Chowder for my friend MK.
MK is awesome. She and I have been friends since college, and she's one of the few girls from college who stayed close by after graduation. She's super busy because she's a nurse and she's in grad school, but every once in a while we get together to go get our toesies did (that's Jessica talk for, we get pedicures together...that's our thing).
Tuesday night we went to a nail place near the house. We really liked the place, and for $23 you can't really go wrong. But it was a little awkward when one of the employees (I'm assuming she was an employee) walked in, sat down behind her station, put her head down on her station, and fell asleep 10 feet from us. For me, not a deal breaker. I'll go back for sure.
After our pedicures, we went to the house and I cooked up some yummy Potato and Corn Chowder for MK, Jason, and myself. It was delicious and I've been eating on the leftovers all week long.
Potato & Corn Chowder with Cornbread Waffles
Yields 6 servings of chowder and 6 waffles
Potato & Corn Chowder: 230 calories
Cornbread waffles: 332 calories
Ingredients (for the Potato & Corn Chowder)
3 cans of sliced potatoes, drained (or you can slice the potatoes yourself)
2 cans creamed corned
1 lb. 93% or 99% fat free ground turkey (you can use ground beef or chicken, or even use sausage if you want)
1 tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. Basil
1 tbsp. whole wheat flour (optional, use if chowder needs thickening at the end)
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions (for the Potato & Corn Chowder)
Brown ground turkey (or other meat) in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil.
In a large pot, pour in creamed corn and potatoes. Let simmer over heat until barely boiling.
Once turkey is cooked, add to the large pot.
Add in additional spices and stir well.
If it needs thickening, add a tbsp. of flour.
Serve over cornbread waffles
Ingredients (for Cornbread Waffles)
2 packages of cornbread mix (I used Jiffy)
2 eggs
2/3 c. skim milk
Directions (for Cornbread Waffles)
Follow directions on the box.
Once you've mixed everything together, use a waffle iron and make the cornbread waffle just like you would a regular waffle. I used a ladle full per waffle.
Let cook on the waffle iron for about 2 minutes per waffle. This may vary depending on how hot your waffle iron is.
Serve with Potato & Corn Chowder.
This recipe was so easy. It took about 20-30 minutes to make everything and it was really filling. Oh, and it's husband approved, which is hard to come by with soups and chowders!
Recipe adapted from Mix and Match Mama's blog.
Here's to a great weekend you guys! I hope all of us get to wear cute fall clothes, watch some good football, eat/drink something with pumpkin in it, spend lots of time outside enjoying the weather, and eat some yummy fall foods!
And if you live nearby, come out to our yard sale tomorrow! It's from 8-11 tomorrow morning. We have some interesting stuff we're selling. But you don't have to buy anything, you can just come hang out! Use the "Contact" page to email me if you want me to send you directions!
