Clam Chowder by Vance Law - from "Home Plate: The White Sox Favorite Recipes" (1983)

RECIPE

2 6-oz. cans minced clams
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups chipped potatoes
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1 1/2 tsp. salt
dash pepper
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. thyme

Drain juice from clams.  Pour over chopped vegetables.  Add enough water to cover.  Simmer 20 minutes or until tender.  Melt butter, stir in flour, slowly add milk until mixture thickens.  Add salt, pepper, sugar and thyme.  Pour into the juice and vegetables.  Heat slowly and stir often.  Can sprinkle with crisp cooked bacon.

This turns out pretty thick.  I like to add milk to thin it down to where we like it.

Vance Law is remembered on the south side of Chicago for being a member of the 1983 White Sox team that made it to the ALCS.

A second generation major leaguer, Law also played for the Pirates, Expos, Cubs and Athletics, with a one season spell in Japan near the end of his career.

Here we have a made-from-scratch recipe for homemade clam chowder.  It didn't turn out as thick as the recipe implied.  It was also a lot less thick than the clam chowders that come out of a can ready made.

This one was definitely more "soupy" than "chowdery".  I guess if you want a thicker result, you can cook it longer or add more flour.

Either way, this is authentic tasty goodness.  Thank you Vance!

Chocolate Peppermint Frosties - Vance Law (Infielder)

RECIPE

1 1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup Milk Mate

1 cup peppermint ice cream

In blender combine all ingredients.  Cover and blend until smooth.  One serving.

Vance Law made a return to the Chicago White Sox bench last night, filling in as a coach during Robin Ventura's temporary absence from the club (daughter's graduation).  He will remain in the dugout for another couple of games.

It's great to see another member of the 1983 White Sox still playing an active role with the club.  There were quite a few longtime fans geeking out on Twitter about it.

To mark Law's temporary return, here's another of his recipes from the 1983 White Sox cookbook.

Probably everyone and their dog has made a smoothie in their lifetime, so this is likely the easiest recipe in the book.  I'm not sure if they still make Milk Mate, but any sort of chocolate milk mixer will do.

The result: a minty-chocolatey smoothie.  It went down fast, and well.

FINAL SCORE - Another solid hit from Good Ol' Vance Law!

Breakfast Cake - Vance Law (Infielder)

 

 

RECIPE

 

CAKE

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbls. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 cup oil

1 1/3 cups milk

2 eggs

 

Sift dry ingredients.  Beat eggs; add oil and milk.  Combine with flour mixture.  Pour into a greased 9 x 13" pan.  Sprinkle topping on top.  Bake 25 minutes at 400 F.

 

TOPPING

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 tbls. cinnamon

Combine all until crumbly.

 

 

Vance Law was a White Sox player for only three seasons (1982-84), but he is well-remembered from the 1983 AL West Division winning club.  The eyeglasses he wore at the time, instantly recognizable, have taken on an iconic status.

 

For three years, Law was the starting third baseman for the Sox, and built a reputation for reliability and solid play.  No flash, just fundamentals.

 

Sort of like this recipe of his from the 1983 White Sox Cookbook.  I don't know if "breakfast cake" is a lost culinary tradition, but we brought it back here courtesy of Mr. Law.

 

This is probably the most basic recipe for cake you can find.  The cinnamon flavoured topping seems almost exotic by comparison.  Anyway, follow the steps and you'll be rewarded with a nice white cake.  You can have it for breakfast with fruit or jam or whatever creamy spread you like.  Makes a nice snack any time during the day or night.

 

I say it's time to bring back the timeless art of breakfast cake!

 

FINAL SCORE - solid, reliable, won't let you down... just like Vance Law at third.