Food, Glorious Food!

Mary #5 reports on the Red Hat Ladies recent excursion:

Ladies Luncheon

Thursday, August 21st. the Ladies Luncheon met at Corina’s Tea room in Edinburg. We feasted our eyes on the various wall and table decorations and recalled some of our own experiences of days gone by.

Patsy mentioned a book called Pedrito’s World and asked Mariana to shed some light on “Curanderas”.

Perhaps this book needs to be added to next year’s book club list and Mariana can come and share some of her insights into the culture of the Mexican folks living here in the Valley.

Next luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9th, 2008,leaving the club house at 10:45 a.m. for PF Chang’s China Bistro at Palm’s Crossing ( Ware Road and US 83). Make plans to join us!

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Last week Lisette, Margo and I visited Kathy at Rio Grande Hospital where she is recovering from her surprise ulcer. Afterwards we lunched at Mimi's Cafe which is just next door to PF Changs China Bistro. I had never heard of it but Mimi's is a chain restaurant well worth the visit. Imaginative food at affordable prices, nice atmosphere and attentive service. I had a delicious salad full of baby lettuce, dried cranberries, walnuts and blue cheese chunks...delectable. But! The corn chowder was amazing! Had to share the recipe with you.

Corn Chowder
(Yields 2 1/2 quarts)

4 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 cups frozen corn, thawed
6 tablespoons onion, chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup celery, large dice
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups hot water
1 pinch white pepper
2 cups raw potato, peeled and cut in 1/2" cubes
3 tablespoons flour
1 quart Half & Half

Method
On medium heat, melt butter, then simmer onion and celery for 5 minutes until soft, but not brown.Add water, potatoes, corn and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are barely tender.Whisk the flour into 1 cup of the Half & Half, and stir into the soup. Add the remaining 3 cups of Half & Half. Simmer for about 15 minutes until the soup has thickened to a creamy consistency.Correct the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. In order to correct the consistency or the soup you may add a little milk to make it thinner. To make the soup thicker, simmer another 5-10 minutes. Bon Appetite!

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Another place I really love is Fresco's, that New York Italian place across from HEB on 10th & Trenton. We've been there several times and enjoyed it. Although when they first opened a few years ago the service was a bit rough (Gary & Lisette walked out) they seem to have their act together now.

This is your opportunity to chime in with restaurants around the valley that you would warn about or recommend. I'd love to read about, and maybe visit, your favorites.