Return to Summer

With record snow this weekend in most of the Atlantic East coast and temperatures pushing the envelope for the whitest, coldest winter in decades, I began my day dreaming of summer 2010 by my East End beaches. 

When I fell into my mid-summer day dream, I pictured myself stopping at Pikes Farm Stand in Sagaponack to pick up their prize vine ripened tomatoes and candy-like white corn on the cob. To serve the tomatoes, I simply slice and drizzle olive oil upon a crusty ciabatta bread topped with freshly ground pepper and a gently torn fresh basil leaf, from my garden. I munch on this snack paired with a crisp cool glass of sauviginon blanc while waiting for my corn to grill to perfection. The corn was picked just one hour before cooking; so with corn that fresh, I like it au natural - no or butter needed.

Rude awakening. It's the beginning of February. But I have something up my sleeve that's very fitting and will put a summer smile on your face and mine. Here's the how-to for cooking up a good pot of Spicy Corn Chowder.

image, Moza