Weekend Cooking... "Chowda!"

Did I mention that I was heading to Maine this week?

No, I didn't.

Well I am in Maine.
I drove up on Tuesday, spent a few days in Portland and am now

in the mid-coast area. Camden, Rockport, Rockland. And of course the town of South Thomaston, where I was lucky enough to get a personalize tour of the library (ok..it is pretty much one room, but a great one room!)from the person in charge, Tutu herself, of Tutu Two Cents. We dined on Maine's version of a cheesesteak and whoopie pie at a local establishment and a grand time was had by all.
But enough about that..for now.

This post is about food and the food in question if chowder, clam chowder! Hot and creamy, full of potatoes and clams.
So I have been doing a study. A small study granted, since I only have two samples so far. But they are reported to be excellent examples of the dish in question, so I think that is fair.

The first example was from Gilbert's Chowder in Portland, a place that has often won awards for the best clam chowder in Maine. And it was very, very good.
The second was from The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth. Very good but different. Thinner, more milky broth, but with a great clam flavor.

How to pick...how to pick. Well, if i had to vote between the two, I think I would go with the first, pictured to the right here, from Gilbert's. Very thick and creamy, full of nice clams..delicious.
You might notice a small serving of fried clams that I  also had at Gilbert's. And a fry or two..and some cole slaw.
Maybe a beer.
But I did skip dessert and felt very noble about it
!

Not that I would ever turn down the second, from the Lobster Shack. Of course it might also help that it is perched on the edge of the water, with a wonderful view. At least when the fog clears.
There has been a lot of fog and drizzle on this trip. It makes for great atmosphere!!

Now, for the sad part of this post.
I was going to close with my sister in law's recipe for clam chowder.

It is an excellent recipe that makes an excellent chowder that rivals either of these.

But as I sit here in my motel, on my laptop, I find that for some reason, I do not have it in my recipe file. I must just have a paper copy at home.What was I thinking?

But I must get on with my day and don't have the time to write another post!
More chowder is out there waiting...and lobster rolls...not to mention whoopie pies!

But I will send each and every one of you a pint of chowder in the mail to make up for it.
Ok, not really. But I would if I could!

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This is my contribution this to this week's Weekend Cooking.
"Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend."
Be sure to check out the other entries this week. As always, hosted by Beth Fish Reads.

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