Here we are again. We've got to stop meeting like this. It's just barely after 4:00 AM and the big guy's on his way to his secret clamming spot in Waldport to get his quota of 20 cockles. He was a little short yesterday (16) and it bugged him all day.
Actually something worse bugged him which proves you can have a bad day even at the beach. He was checking on the canoes which are stored under the cabin because the goal of today is to get Max out on the river...not me, mind you, but Max. I can't swim a stroke and won't even get my face wet in the shower, so he knows I won't be going along for the ride. Anyway after he checked out the canoes, he locked the storage area. Between the back of the cabin and the front, he lost the key.
Now, my guy is persistent, so on his knees in the grass, he looked for that key for hours. Of course, I helped (not on my knees though), and did the grid search over and over and over. You get the picture? After several hours, I finally talked GMan into giving up so off he went to Ace Hardware in Waldport. Oh, by the way, there is a hardware store in Yachats, but it's where the grinch who stole Christmas hangs out during the other 364 days of the year. The big guy came back with not one, but two new padlocks because he figured that while he was at it, he'd better make the storage area more secure. There was only one padlock on it before, but the area really needed two with one on each side. Oh, he also came back with a honkin' BIG bolt cutter to get the keyless padlock off. It took him less than 60 seconds to install the new locks. End of problem!
Of course, by now it was noon, so we went out for lunch, followed by a long walk on the beach. When we came back, the big guy decided to do a little gardening and watered the plants around the cabin. On his way into the house, guess what he found? Yup...you're right. The key he lost.
To soothe my savage beast, I decided to make Clam Chowder for dinner. Now, I know I've already shared one chowder recipe with you, so I figured I'd better try something different. Boy, this one is different but in a good way. Honest! Download Yachats Blush Clam Chowder How could it be anything but with these gorgeous cockles the big guy raked out of the bay at Waldport.
Picture top left will give you an idea of the size of these babies. Sixteen of them yielded 2-1/2 cups of chopped meat. Amazing aren't they? Picture bottom left is of an antique pressure cooker (we think) or clam cooker that is one of the many treasures at this gorgeous little place. It's certainly had its share of use during the 3 years we've rented here. Oh that we could stay longer than a month each time, but for sure the freezer isn't big enough to hold all the "spoils" my he man comes home with.
As for the finished chowder, it really is a celebration of flavors of the southwest combined with the northwest (by a Canadian). Go figure. There's just the right amount of spice to compliment the clams, while the broth is creamy with a hint of tomato. I think next time I'll add chopped tomatoes and some fresh basil wouldn't hurt either. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Now I don't know about you, but I'm about to join the pooch on the couch for a nap. After all, I am on vacation!
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