Family Trips lead to tasty meals back home....

This past August our Family trip was to PEI! Yes, I know...again!! But if you've never been there, you don't understand how that small island can cradle you into another world! Do you see what I did there...use the word cradle...the term given by the Mi'kmaq..."the land cradled on the waves"...and it surely is. There is a different pace there....friendlier, more of a focus on what is truly important. This was our fourth trip. Every year we toss around the idea of visiting somewhere else. When it comes time to decide...we instantly fall back into the arms of PEI. Playing in the ocean, you feel as if the island has baptized you! If you are not born on the island, you are not a true islander! Even if you were born on the mainland and were a day old and came across to live on PEI...you are still not an islander(this was told to me by my History Professor)! But as a fisherman told us, we can be an "Islander By Choice"....or as he said, "so you want to be an IBC!"
So....that's what we are! We are IBC'ers!!

We have been home almost 4 weeks...and we all miss the scenery, food and friendly people!
We miss Seafood Chowder! A popular item....and every restaurant has their own spin! We sampled a few and they are all fabulous...it just depends on whether you like it thick and creamy or slightly thinned out! The seafood is amazing...so fresh!! So, this past weekend, slightly homesick...I decided to make a Seafood chowder. It was perfect for a rainy, windy Saturday afternoon!! With no recipe...I stood at the fish counter and saw PEI Mussels! Those babies were going to be in it! As well as salmon and shrimp!! I chose what each kid would eat...you know, I have one or two picky eaters!!

Two hours later...after prepping, washing, chopping, sautéing and allowing all the flavours to marry....it was done!! I would have added a bit of heat...red pepper Chili flakes...but as you know, picky eaters! It was soo simple! I used flavours that I tasted back on the island and some of my own! Some for taste, some for colour!!

Let's just say....bowls were filled twice and very little was leftover for Sunday lunch!

Love how great experiences during family trips lead to tasty meals back home!