Vegetable Bean Chowder

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
2 large sweet potatoes, chopped
1 (15 oz) can cream-style corn
1 (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed & drained
2 cups milk
2 Tbsp cornstarch or flour

1. In a large stock pot heat oil. Add onion, celery and carrots; saute for about 8 minutes until tender. Add water and salt and bring to a boil Add sweet potatoes and bring to a second boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer and cover; cook for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in corn and beans. Simmer covered 10 minutes until heated through.
2. Combine milk into cornstarch or flour until smooth. Stir into soup and simmer uncovered until soup is thick.

Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream

This recipe is taken from Country Living Magazine. I made it tonight and it is really yummy. Also, it's not as complicated as it may look; it was fairly easy to make.

INGREDIENTS:
1 quart strawberries, rinsed and cut into quarters
3/4 cup sugar divided
1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 tsp baking powder
6 Tbsp cold butter, divided
A pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 pint heavy cream
3 Tbsp confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla

1. Combine strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar. Set aside in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow for the sugar to draw out the juice of the strawberries.
2. Preheat oven to 400 and place rack on the highest position. In a mixing bowl combine flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cornmeal, and baking powder. Mix well. Add butter and salt and cut into the flour with a pastry cutter or your fingertips. Whisk egg and milk together in a separate bowl and add to dry ingredients. Drop batter onto a lightly greased cookie sheet with a Tbsp and make 3 inch diameter rounds. Bake for 15 minutes on top rack until lightly golden. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
3. Pour cream into a mixing bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla and beat again until stiff peaks form. Assemble dessert as the picture shows being sure to use the juice and the strawberries.