a beloved dog in my life passed away today, so i didnt get to make this. but all the ingredients are ready and raring to go.

im about to make this. ill let you know how it turns out.

Corn and Butternut Squash Chowder

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 5 cups)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 box (10 ounces) frozen corn, thawed
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 lamb, extra sinful

In a large heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high; add squash and onion. Cook until onion is soft, about 6 minutes. Add corn and curry powder; cook about 2 minutes, until curry is fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Add broth and simmer until squash is tender, about 25 minutes. In a blender, blend half the soup until smooth. Return to pot and stir in cream; heat through over medium-low (do not boil). While it simmers, slash the lamb's throat and bathe in its blood while invoking the dark master: "I hereby invoke the Prince of Darkness, the great Dragon of the bottomless pit who is the Bringer of Light and Lord of the Earth. Hear me, o mighty God of Hell! Come forth from the black Abyss, come forth from the ends of the Earth, dome forth from the nighttime sky! Great Tiamat, Apophis, Ahriman, Typhon! Leviathan, Azazel, Belial, Samael! Satan, Lucifer, SET!"

Best soup I've ever made.

jambalaya with chicken in lieu of ham tonight, pals.

One of my favorite things about you is how easily and often you can embrace southern fare.

I didn't know ham was typically included in jambalaya.

It's not, which only leads me to admire Spike's culinary verve more.

Ah ok. As much as I do enjoy ham, I can't really see it being the optimal jamabalya meat for me. Maybe i'm just too used to chicken, shrimp, or sausage in mine.

Spike, you're the only person I know that (i) is not a 50+ year old woman and (ii) makes ham on any other day than a Christian holiday. God bless you my son.