Crockpot dinner party

For our school silent auction the big push is hosting an event. So I am hosting a crockpot dinner and prep night. The idea is that some adults will join me for an evening. I will provide dinner (from the crock pots) and supplies we will do prep so they also go home with bagged meals that can be frozen, when needed pull out, put into a crock pot and have a meal or such. That is the big concept. Menu ideas :

Appetizers

Creamy Spinach Dip

Bridget's caramelized onion pizza

Soup

Mom's clam chowder

Bridget's corn chowder

Main dish

Fejoida (Brazilian Black Beans)

Healthy Mama BBQ chicken

Dessert

Chocolate fountain (caramel or marshmallow creme in the crockpot to go with.)
Crockpot Carmel 

To keep it simple and easy, the prep meals to go will be the corn chowder and Fejoida. I will also probably send them home with a jar of caramelized onions. I will include all recipes. I am trying to come up with a non meat option along the lines of Fejoida. We will also have bread and salad with the meal. 

Any help or suggestions would be great, I'm a little worried about being overwhelmed.

NE Patriots vs. NY Giants Superbowl

What are you making for Superbowl Sunday? While we will be rooting on the Pats, we are thinking we'll make food to honor both teams. NE Clam Chowder (Mom's recipe) seems like a must. In addition to that, for NY, we had a few thoughts - either pizza (a classic and a favorite of all of us) OR Holland's idea of "NY Street food," such as soft pretzels and hot dogs, OR Brendan's idea, "NY Deli".

I'll report back on what we choose, but would love to hear what others are making.

Mom's Clam Chowder

Does anyone have Mom's recipe for Clam Chowder handy?

As Admin, I'm taking the liberty of editing this entry and placing the recipe right in the entry. I find it easier to find recipes when they're here, not in the comments. Regina, hope you don't mind.


Mom's clam chowder


2 strips bacon
½ c onion, chopped
¾ c celery, chopped
1½ pt half-and-half
¾ pt heavy cream
3 bottles clam broth
3 cans minced clams
3 cans whole clams
1½ c potatoes, diced
white pepper and salt, to taste


Cook bacon. Remove and set aside. Sauté onion and celery in bacon fat until clear. Combine half-and-half, heavy cream, broth, clams, potatoes, and crumbled bacon in stockpot. Add onion and celery. Season to taste. Cook until potatoes are soft (about 1 hour). Very easy!