Soup Stories #24 Chowder, and a Memory of My Mother / 母の思い出のチャウダー

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These past few days, I’ve been feeling a little low. The sun has been shining in a spring-like way, but the air in Germany still carries a wintry chill. It's soup days like this, right between winter and spring.

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I found myself thinking of the chowder soup my mother used to make, and decided to cook it for myself.

My mother’s chowder was often made with clams sent by her American host family. It was a rich and hearty clam chowder, sometimes served even for breakfast. It was my favorite. I remember how she would make a generous amount and keep some in mugs in the fridge, ready to be reheated in the microwave whenever someone got hungry.

The one I made today was a vegetarian version, using what I had in the kitchen—onions, mushrooms, potatoes, and a handful of frozen mixed vegetables. I made it quickly for lunch, and it turned out to be just what I needed.

Here’s a simple recipe if you'd like to try:

Ingredients

  • A bit of butter
  • Onion (a must) and any other vegetables you like
  • Salt and pepper
  • White wine
  • A little flour
  • Milk

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a pot and sauté the vegetables with salt and pepper.
  2. Add a splash of white wine, cover, and let it steam gently.
  3. Once the vegetables are tender, sprinkle a little flour to thicken.
  4. Pour in some milk and warm through.
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  5. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed—and it's ready!

Even with simple ingredients, it turned out to be a gentle, comforting soup. With each spoonful, I felt myself slowly settling down.　If I’m honest, I did miss those plump clams my mother used to use—but even without them, this version warmed me from the inside out 😉

Some days are like this, and I think that’s okay.　Today reminded me just how comforting a bowl of soup can be.

Happy soup cooking!

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この数日少し気持ちが沈むことがありました。春らしい日差しが出ていたものの、ドイツの空気はまだ冷たく、ふと思い出して、母がよく作ってくれていたチャウダースープを作りました。こんな感じで、まさに冬と春の狭間で、スープ日和なのです。

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母がよく作ってくれたのは、母のアメリカのホストファミリーが送ってくれたクラムを使った、具だくさんのクラムチャウダーでした。朝ご飯に出してくれることもあった思い出のスープです。母は少し多めに作って、お腹が空いたら電子レンジで温めてすぐ食べられるようにマグカップに入れて冷蔵庫に入れておいてくれたのも覚えています。

私が今日作ったのは、ベジタリアンバージョンで、台所にあった玉ねぎとマッシュルーム、じゃがいもに、冷凍のミックス野菜も加えて、ぱぱっとお昼に作りました。簡単な作り方を書いておきますのでお試しあれ！

材料

  • バター
  • たまねぎはマストで他はお好みの野菜
  • 塩、こしょう
  • 白ワイン
  • 小麦粉
  • 牛乳

作り方

  1. 鍋でバターを熱して野菜を炒める、塩こしょうをふる
  2. 白ワインを加えて、鍋に蓋をして蒸し煮にする
  3. 野菜に火が通ったらとろみを出すために小麦粉少々をふる
  4. 牛乳を加えて温める
  5. 味見をして、塩こしょうで味を整えてできあがり！

シンプルな材料でも、やさしい味に仕上がり、スプーンを口に運ぶたびに、少しずつ落ち着くのを感じました。欲を言うと、あのムッチムチのクラムが入っているといいんですけどね！

たまにはこんな日もあっていいのだと思います。スープっていいなあと改めて思う春の一日でした。

Soup Stories（日本語併記です🍲）

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9 comments
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Sounds and looks delicious, a totally different kind of soup to what I make. Definitely want to make this with seafood. Clams aren't so easy to find here, but mussels should be good as well!
Creamy and full of flavour, yum!

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Interesting. It's one of the common soups for me. Definitely other shells such as mussels fit. You are in southern hemisphere Lizelle? So it'll be perfect season for chowder 😊

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Yes, I live in South Africa, winter's on its way, best time for soup. Although I can have soup any time of the year, love it. I'm going to make this one for sure, will add mussels🤗

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I had a soup like this when we were growing up. My mum always added sweetcorn - a comparatively expensive vegetable here in those days - a special treat.

I wrote about Morning Pages. I am not as diligent as you, I am not following the book 😅, but I am enjoying writing in the morning.

Hope you are feeling better.

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You wrote it! Corn was missing it was one of my big regret yeaterday. I noticed it after I left shop 🥹

Thank you and yes, I’m feeling super good now after visiting my new garden.

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(Honestly speaking, I’m getting lazy for Morning Pages and only do it twice to third a week these days 😅)

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I’m getting lazy for Morning Pages and only do it twice to third a week these days 😅

I think we probably move on after a while and don't need them so much 🤣

Your garden is beautiful! I look forward to reading your posts!

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