This line was from a great sandwich restaurant in Burlington Vermont back in 1970’s. I can’t remember the name of the place, it isn’t open anymore, but I can remember,… and use, the line.
Soup has become the forgotten first course. For a variety of reasons, salad has become the first course of choice for American diners. When developing menus, don’t forget about soup. A good soup is a great crowd pleaser. When in doubt go for the daily double, soup and salad. The combination makes a perfect meal.
My daughter’s in-laws, Rick and Helene Begun, hosted us a few weeks ago in Montauk for dinner. We have a great tradition that I call the “Home and Home” series. Our kids and grandkids will come in for two weeks in the Hamptons. One week in Montauk and the next in Westhampton. The two towns are only 45 miles apart so we will travel one night to Montauk for dinner and Helene and Rick will come in to Westhampton for dinner the following week.
Helene is the originator of the “I don’t cook but I know where to buy” school of entertaining. The evening in Montauk consists of drinks and appetizers (Grilled Roasted Shrimp & Gorgonzola Aioli) out on the deck overlooking the ocean with a broad spectrum of family and friends. Then around 6 pm Rick will sneak out and source a fully cooked dinner from a local restaurant. Rick took on a dual role for this year. He ran out to Gosman’s to pick a lobster dinner and he also made great corn chowder that we enjoyed as a first course.
Check out the recipes for Grill Roasted Shrimp and Gorgonzola Aioli
The soup really set up the tone of the meal. It was a rustic chowder with plenty of flavor coming from the corn and mirepoix. The great texture came from the blended potatoes. After the chowder no one was overly hungry, but at the same time, everyone enjoyed the lobster. There is something about a lobster dinner accompanied by a cool ocean breeze on a warm summer evening.
The star of the evening…THE SOUP DU JOUR…CORN CHOWDER
Check out the recipe for corn chowder
My daughter’s family at the beach. Above: Dylan, Ethan, Max & Jennifer
The other stars for the evening, the lobster, the birthday boy (and his bourbon) and the chocolate cake from Citarella’s (Helene really knows where to buy).
By the way, business wasn’t slow as every last drop of soup was enjoyed.
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