Corn Chowder

Want to Slow Down?

G’day Gorgeous.

How are you?

Are you sick of the paywall going up and missing the simple recipes? Here, come join us!

Photo: Matt Russell (FYI. Hank has no prob slowing down)

I went to the farmers market on Sunday, and it was seasonally confused. With the extended warmer weather we’ve been having in New York, the tomatoes and apples were side by side, each wondering what on earth the other was doing there.

But the nonchalant crates of corn husks reminded me it was the perfect time to make corn chowder. I love corn chowder. With all my heart. What’s not to love about corn, bacon, leeks, and potato?

I ladled the chowder into ceramic bowls I’d brought back from Japan in my hand luggage. It made a humble bowl of soup feel special. Consider this your reminder to use your “good crockery.” Don’t wait. Life’s too short. If it breaks, it breaks. One of mine actually did chip as I clumsily knocked it. I swore at myself, then gathered the pieces to Kintsugi and embraced the imperfection and resilience of this bowl’s journey with me.

Lately, I’ve been busy mowing down the to-do list, so a recipe that can be whipped up but slows me down is exactly what I was craving. It works beautifully for a weeknight, or a relaxed weekend hang.

You should definitely make this before corn bids us farewell.

And speaking of slowing down…

A few friends have muttered their dread of being perpetually busy. I can relate. The last couple of months have been back-to-back. Sometimes I daydream of being retired. Isn’t that ridiculous? But really, it’s just a sign that I/we need to give ourselves permission to pause. We’re juggling a lot.

So I reached out to Marte and asked if she could share a meditation to help us all slow down. Just hearing her voice calmed me. Thank you so much Marte.

Have you got any funny or unexpected slow-down strategies? Mine is reading my star signs.

October for Aquarians. Sounds awfully busy to me.

Have a friend who needs to slow down? Share this post.

A Mood Board That Makes You Want To Eat Soup

1. Flowers Flora Field Studies.

2. Brancusi’s Studio. Photo: Edward J. Steichen.

3. Stephanie Stamatis Styling.

4. Joan Didion. Photo: Photography Jill Krementz. (Makes me want to hunker down and write.)

5. Galerie Was.

6. In Common With.

7. Mondrain’s Studio. Photo: André Kertész

8. Internet. Source unknown.

9. Colin King & Audo Copenhagen. (Colin has joined Substack!)

Did you make the Saltimbocca? Or try Katelyn Grey’s dinner hack of buying good store-bought Bolognese? I did last week when I called into Eataly and I was so happy all I had to do was boil pasta.

Corn Chowder

I expect you’ll be making this recipe for the next twenty years.

Every host needs a silky chowder recipe. A steaming bowl says, I’m not here to impress, just to make you feel at home. The beauty of corn chowder–and yes, I think they’re beautiful–is its versatility. It can be made ahead, scaled up for a crowd, and made with frozen corn when fresh isn’t in season. You can get chef-y with chowder, by making your own corn stock, scraping the cobs to extract the milky liquid, or garnishing with shards of grilled corn. But honestly, that’s not why I wrote this recipe. I wanted you to have a classic cheerful version–one that’s quick, budget-friendly, and fuss-free. Serve with crusty bread, friends.

For a bold flavor, I prefer to use 3 teaspoons vegetable or chicken bouillon paste with 3 cups water rather than stock because it packs more of a punch.