Ham and Corn Chowder

Sometimes straightforward soups are the best. This is a simple corn chowder with cubed ham added. It’s a great recipe for that leftover ham from your holiday dinner.

I will be honest and say I stole this recipe from a friend whose business is cooking or supplying or I 'm not sure how to explain. http://www.preparedpantry.com I just know they have mixes and other yummy stuff to buy either online or from their store just outside of Rigby.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped 3
tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 15-ounce can chicken broth
2 cups cubed potatoes
2 cups half and half or 2 cups milk
2 15-ounce cans corn, undrained
1 1/2 cups diced ham
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or one tablespoon dried
Directions
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Add the flour and stir to make a paste. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring frequently with a whisk to avoid lumps.
Add the potatoes. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are barely tender.
Stir in half and half and both cans of undrained corn. Cook uncovered for six to eight minutes. Stir in ham and parsley. Reheat if necessary.

Chocolate Eclair Cake (aka Moon Cake and several other names.)

I went to a party where this was served, and of course every one loved it. It had a familiar taste but, until I finally got the recipe I couldn't be sure. It was the same one my sister calls Moon Cake with slight variations, size of pan and the use of nuts.

Chocolate Eclair Cake
Crust:
1 cube margarine/butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. water
1 c. flour
4 eggs
Filling:
3 c. milk
3 sm. packages vanilla instant pudding
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 (12-oz.) tub Cool Whip
Chocolate syrup (you may also use caramel or strawberry or all three)
Nuts (optional)
Crust: Bring margarine/butter, water and salt to a boil. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup flour and beat in 4 eggs, 1 at a time. Spread on lightly greased cookie sheet (Use a 9x13 for a thicker crust.) Prick with fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Cool.
Filling: Beat together, milk, pudding and cream cheese. Spread on crust. Spread Cool Whip on top of filling and drizzle chocolate syrup and nuts, if desired, on top. Chill 3 to 4 hours.

Poor Mans Prime Rib

Several years ago a friend of ours volunteered to cook prime rib for a church dinner. Only one problem, this was a group of poor starving college students who can really eat. This was not really a problem because this is Poor Mans Prime Rib. (I promise they ate till they were stuffed and then ate some more.) Of course real prime rib is the best (and expensive) but this is a darn good second.
First you need to buy a boneless chuck eye roast (this is the cut next to a prime rib cut and about 1/2 or less in price.). Plan on 1/4 - 1/2 pound for each person. You will probably have to get this from a regular butcher, not necessarily the local grocery store. In southeast Idaho we go to Doug's meat. While there buy the Spicecraft Prime Steak and Beef Burger Seasoning*, as it's not carried in just any store. You can also buy it online at http://www.newlywedsfoods.com/Services/shakeonseason.html .
Liberally/heavily coat the roast with the seasoning. Then sprinkle with McCormicks Grill Mates Montreal Spicy Steak.
Heat oven to 500 degrees (I know it's hot, but it's important to seal in the juices). Put roast in large baking pan and place in hot oven for 20 minutes. Turn heat down to 250 and bake for 15 minutes per pound for rare, longer if you want medium. Use a meat thermometer to check.
When it's done, remove from oven and let set 10 minutes. In the meantime, in a large frying pan mix up several package of Au ju, any brand mix will do. Slice, dip/soak in hot Au ju for a minute or two, serve and enjoy.
We found an electric knife makes cutting it much easier. If some one is queasy about their meat being less than done, soak their slice a little longer in the au ju.

We have yet to find any complaints with this recipe. If you try it, hopefully it will be as good for you as for us.

*Warning: this is loaded with MSG. Do not use if you are allergic or sensitive to MSG.