Spicy Crab and Corn Chowder

November 28, 2012

Hey everyone!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was wonderful, I got so much rest over the weekend after cooking all day on Thursday. :)
 
I made this Spicy Crab and Corn Chowder a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to get around to sharing it on the blog.  It came out so good; the flavors were incredible.  ...aaand it was really easy.  The process from start to finish only took about 40 minutes... on a weeknight!
 
Ingredients:
1 can of crab meat*
2 10 oz. boxes of frozen corn*  
3 cans of chicken broth
1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
2 medium carrots, finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
1 medium-large onion, finely diced
1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
6 strips of bacon {or turkey bacon}, finely diced
2 heaping tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 {heaping for me!} tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper {or more if you like it really spicy}
1/2 stick of butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
 
*I used claw meat because I think it has more flavor than jumbo lump. Feel free to use whatever you think is best!
 
*I only had one box of frozen corn in the freezer so in addition, I used a 15 ounce can, drained and rinsed.
 
{The stars of the show! I love this picture, so bright and beautiful.  Whenever I cook with celery, carrots and onion, I feel official. Lol!}
 
{Start by dicing your veggies and bacon. First, the carrots, celery, onion and red pepper.  When a dish starts with a combination of these vegetables, you know it's gonna be good. Flavor, waiting to happen!}
 
{Dice your bacon next.  I used turkey bacon and for us, it has to be the GoodShall's brand. The BEST!}
 
{In a large heavy bottomed pot {large enough to make a big pot of soup} over medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil and your chopped bacon.  If you are using pork bacon, you don't need to add the oil.  Turkey bacon has less fat so the oil is needed to get the pieces nice and crispy. :)}
 
{Saute the bacon, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes or until crispy. Once it's done, remove and drain on paper towel.}
 
{To that same pot, add your butter.}
 
 
{Once the butter has melted, add your diced veggies and season with salt and pepper.}
 
{Let the veggies cook over medium heat and get tender and golden, about 10 minutes.}
 
 
 
{Add your heaping tablespoons of flour to the veggies and butter.}
 
{Stir well to coat the veggies in flour and let it cook for about 5 minutes.}
 
{Gather your spices.}
 
{Slowly add the cans of chicken broth to the vegetables / flour, stirring out any small lumps.}
 
{Add your spices and stir!}
  
{Bring to a boil and let this bubble for a minute or two.}
 
{Stir in your corn...}
 
{Open your crab meat, YUM!!!}
 
{...add add it to the pot!}
 
{Stir this well to break up the crab meat.  Add your crispy, cooked bacon to the pot. Stir to mix.}
 
{Bring this up to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low.  Taste for salt and pepper and season accordingly. Make sure it has good flavor!}
 
{Once it starts to simmer over the reduced heat, add in your heavy cream. Not milk, not half and half... Heavy {whipping} cream. :) Yum!}
 
{Now that your creamy soup is simmering and getting delicious, it needs to be thickened a bit more.  To a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water to form a thick paste. Add a pinch of salt to season the paste. Mix it really well and add the cornstarch/water mixture to your simmering soup.}
 
{Mix in the thickening paste and let this simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes.}
 
{Serve up your hot, creamy, flavorful chowder in a pretty bowl, topped with parsley flakes alongside a crusty piece of bread. SO GOOD!}
 
{Look at the chunks of crab, pieces of bacon and bright sweet corn kernels. AMAZING.}
 
 
 
This was a keeper in our house, I am making another pot this week! Cory and the kids raved with every spoonful. Lol! I was beaming from ear to ear. :) Let me know if you plan to try it!
 
xoxo, thanks for reading ♥

Leopard Legs

November 19, 2012

 
 
 
 
{Leopard Leggings ~ H&M / Denim Shirt ~ NY&Co. / Black Velvet Blazer ~ Thrifted / Black Suede Wedges ~ Via Spiga}
 
Wore this for a quick little date night on Saturday for cocktails and appetizers. I felt a little wild in these leggings but Cory assured me that they were perfectly appropriate for Saturday night and for my personality.  Apparently, I am bold enough to pull crazy leopard printed leggings off.  I'll take it! :)
 
I have a really busy week on tap; I am prepping for Thanksgiving dinner at my house... can't wait to cook for my my family, parents, sister, cousins and others.  Here's a peek at the menu:
 
 
I will be drinking plenty of wine and having a grand 'ole time in the kitchen. :) I'm also thinking of adding my Fancy Banana Pudding to the dessert menu, yum!
 
What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
///
//turkey brine and recipe here. the kale recipe can be found here. and the biscuits here.\\
 

 

 

 

 


Pattern Mixin'

November 12, 2012

 
 
 
 
{Army Fatigue Skinny Pants ~ DOTS from 2+ years ago. Seen here back in 2010, LOL!/ Chartreuse Open Cardigan ~ Elle via Kohls / Floral Scarf ~ H&M / Habanero Patent Reva Flats ~ Tory Burch / Snakeskin Crossbody Bag ~ Daisy Boutique / Gold Chain Belt ~ Thrifted}
 
After wearing neutrals and trousers all week, it was fun to do some pattern mixing on Saturday.  We got a lot done, running errands and starting to prep for Thanksgiving...my favorite time of the year.  I can't wait to brine and roast a turkey with all the trimmings.  :)
 
These pants were such a great buy back in 2010, scored them at DOTS for about $15! I love buying things and being able to still pull them out 2+ years later and love them just as much. I rocked them on Saturday night as well, changing my shoes and throwing on a thrifted blazer, of course:
 
 
{image via my Instagram page, follow me {@fancylexy} for fancy-ness. :)}
 
 
I hope you had a great weekend!
 
xoxo, thanks for reading!
 

Election Day 2012

November 6, 2012





{Navy Ponte Knit Trousers ~ Eileen Fisher via Nordstrom Rack / Navy and Camel Striped Blazer ~ Thrifted / White Tee ~ Old Navy / Floral Scarf ~ H&M / Tory Burch Reva Flats in "Habanero"}

I wore my favorite blazer on this exciting and nerve-wrecking Election Day.  I am currently in bed, glued to the TV with a margarita, Lol! 

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥

Rose Gold Sneakers

November 5, 2012

 
 
 
 
{Skinnies ~ Torrid / Silk Leopard Blouse ~ Thrifted / Coral Suede Jacket ~ Thrifted / Rose Gold Metallic and Satin Sneakers ~ Aldo Outlet}
 
I had such a great weekend: did some shopping, some cooking and spent time with my sister.  That extra hour on Sunday, thanks to Daylight Savings, served me really well. I felt like a million bucks this morning, which is rare for me on a Monday, lol!
 
On my shopping adventure on Saturday, with my sister and the kiddies, I scored these pretty rose gold sneakers at the Aldo outlet!  They were only $15 BUCKS! ...the last ones in the entire store and they were my size, I was left with no choice; I had to get them.  I wore them on Sunday while running errands and couldn't stop looking down.  :)
 
I hope you had a great weekend!

Rich Tones for Fall!

November 2, 2012





{Trousers ~ INC via Macy's / Navy Silk Blouse ~ Thrifted / Burgundy Cardigan ~ GAP Outlet / Suede Wedge {knee}Boots ~ Steve Madden / Ombre Animal Printed Scarf ~ H&M / Fendi Spy Handbag / Gold Lionshead Pendant on Rope Chain ~ Thrifted / Lipcolor {a combination} ~ Wet n' Wild Mega Last Lipsticks in 965 - "Cherry Picking" and 919b - "Vamp It Up" & Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in 002 - "Crystal Lilac"}
 
Happy Friday! I hope you had an amazing week {despite the weather, for those affected by the hurricane, I hope all is well!}.
 
The pairing of these trousers and this silk top is such a good work-day standby - I've worn the two together twice already: here + here. I love when I can remix and repeat items in my closet and feel fresh and pulled together, as if the pieces were new. :)
 
I am loving rich tones so much right now.  Especially with a dark jeweled-toned lip and dark nail polish. It felt so good to put all the summer brights away until next year.  I dusted off my trusty faux leather jacket from Dots and will be rocking it all weekend!
 
Have a great weekend! See you back here with a casual outfit post on Saturday or Sunday. :)
 
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥