Basic Chowder

1 tbsp butter, margarine, or bacon fat - $0.25
1 large onion, diced - $0.25
3 stalks celery, diced - $0.50
2 1/2 cups tap water - negligible
5 large potatoes (or the equivalent), peeled and diced - $1.00
*protein (see below)
4 cups water + 1 1/3 cups nonfat powdered dry milk - $0.50
salt & pepper to taste - pennies
1 cup cold tap water - negligible
1/2 cups AP flour - $0.10


Melt fat in soup pot, add celery and onions and sweat until tender. Add 2.5 cups water and diced potatoes. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add protein (see below) and cook for another 10 minutes. Add milk, salt, and pepper and heat gently.


In a small jar, combine 1 cup cold tap water with 1/2 cup flour. Shake the jar until no lumps are left. Add to soup. Stir and bring to a slow boil until thickened.


Best served with OTC crackers (for you east-coasters)


*Proteins

1/2 lb white fish, frozen and diced approx. the same size as the potatoes - $3.00
or
2 cans chopped clams, undrained - $3.00
or
1/2 lb bacon, diced and fried, and 2 whipped eggs (you'll have to stir this into the potato mixture - $2.25
or
no protein, just a can of drained yellow corn - $0.50
or
open up your imagination. And your leftover drawer. This recipe is so versatile!


Cost per serving, based on 8 servings:

$0.70 per serving with $3 proteins.


Muchas gracias to the Hillbilly Housewife recipe pages, from which this was adapted. :)