Kickin' Crab and Corn Chowder

Many restaurants, particularly in Virginia, offer a spicy corn and crab chowder on their menu Most of these "chowders" are just thin soups with trace amounts of crab and very little corn flavor. NEWSFLASH RESTAURANTS: A chowder cannot be called a chowder unless it has potato in it! It's sad to think that restaurants are charging $4 a bowl for a thin soup with the essence of crab and corn.

This crab and corn chowder recipe is what the restaurants should serve.

Saffron Risotto with Shrimp and Peas

I've been cooking for what seems like forever, however I didn't make my first risotto until a little over a year ago; actually April 6, 2009. I had been so terrified of screwing it up that I never wanted to try. When preparing risotto, there's a delicate balance between creamy and al dente, and glue. Fortunately the glue stage can only happen if you aren't paying attention. Risotto takes some babying, but all of that stirring is worth it. Once you make a basic risotto, the additions are endless!