Salem, Oregon's
Running & Walking Club Site
Home of
Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

 

Meanwhile, Back at the "Tomato…"
A recipe from the Tomato, a Neighborhood Bistro in Vancouver B.C.
Tomato Fresh Food Cafe
3305 Cambie Street
submitted by the Martins, Sansone's and Mclarens

 

After our "First Half" Half experience, we continued the tradition of meeting for brunch at Tomato, a small, fresh-food restaurant in Vancouver. This restaurant began as the project of Diane Clement, a well-respected Canadian runner, and a fabulous cook. Diane has since sold the restaurant, but it maintains the same high quality as when she was there.

Santa Fe Corn Chowder

Diane says, "This soup is amazing. Your taste buds will pop trying to decipher what exactly the ingredients are! We keep our customers guessing. Now you know the secret. Serves 8-10

4 c. milk or light cream, or a combination of both

12 each coriander seeds, peppercorns, and cloves

1 cinnamon stick

small bunch of fresh basil leaves

few sprigs cilantro and mint (if available)

4 c. corn kernels (or 5-6 ears, if fresh)

2 medium onions, diced

inner leaves of celery, finely minced

2-3 jalpenos, or roasted poblano chili, minced

3 tablespoons butter or oil

4 cups milk, stock, or water for finishing the soup

Place the milk, spices, and herbs in a saucepan and slowly bring to the scalding point. Let the infusion steep while preparing the other vegetables, or prepare ahead. The longer it steeps, the more flavorful the broth. Heat the butter/oil in a stockpot; add the onion and celery and sauté until softened. For a richer flavor, brown the onion but watch carefully not to burn. The soup will have a more pronounced onion flavor. Add the second 4 c. of milk (or the liquid) and bring to the scalding point. This will lift the sautéed celery off of the bottom of the pot. Simmer for a few minutes. Strain the infusion of herbs and spices from the milk and add to the stockpot with the corn. Simmer to reduce slightly, then add the minced chiles, salt, to taste, and minced coriander if desired.