The Impulsive Kitchen

OK, every year for the last several years, my spouse and I have rung in the new year with our dear friends, M and D. About 3 years ago we started including another couple, B and R.  The six of us have season tickets to a local theater company, and always attend a Sunday matinee together then head out for a dinner somewhere afterward. So the six of us do this collaborative 5-course dinner for New Years Eve. This year I am responsible for the cocktail, the soup course and the seafood course. The cocktail always poses a quandary, these dinners are an endurance event, wine with each course so you can't get too liquored up during appetizers or  you won't be able to enjoy the rest of dinner!  Let's just say, it's happened.  SO. I want to make something in the Cosmo-family of cocktails but not quite so boozy as a Cosmo - which are usually mixed with mostly vodka and cranberry juice dribbled in for color. I thought I would make a sweet clear cocktail using Citrus infus...

Long time, no post.  I'll try to fix that this year. This is something to do with leftover ham from Christmas.  It relies on a LOT of convenience items (condensed soups) that I don't use a lot.  These Cream of Whatever soups are fantastic shortcuts in the kitchen, but they tend to be a little heavy on sodium and bland - so you really need to add your own flavors to make the dish special.   In a large skillet or sauce pan: Melt: 2 tbls butter Add to the pot, and saute, until onions and celery are translucent: 2 medium onions, diced 1 red pepper, diced 1/2 cup carrots, diced or shredded 1/2 cup celery, diced Add,  Bring to a simmer, and simmer for 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender 3 cups potatoes, diced 4 cups chicken broth Add, 1 can, Campbells Cream of Celery Soup 1 can, Campbells Cheddar Cheese Soup 2 - 3 cups diced ham 1 can of creamed corn Simmer for another 10 minutes, and the chowder is ready to serve.  However, if your are feeling ext...