Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Corn Chowder


I don't know how the weather is in your neck of the woods, but here in East Tennessee, it's cold and rainy, downright miserable.  I should be curled up with a good book or a good movie!

Did I ever tell you that when I first met my husband the only "vegetable" he would eat was corn?  Well A.J. now knows corn is not a vegetable, plus he has many new favorite real vegetables.  I now know if I serve ANYTHING with the word "corn" in it, he's the first one at the table when dinner is ready.  So from here on out, every recipe, be it salad or brownies is going to be called "corn" something or other...nah, that's just plain boring.

Well, let me tell you that this soup is anything but boring!

4 strips hickory smoked bacon
1 tablespoon butter

Extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups heavy cream
3 Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and diced
6 ears of fresh corn cut from the cob or 2lbs. frozen kernel corn
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cayenne (optional)
1/4 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese



Cook the bacon in a large stock pot until crisp.  Remove from pot with a slotted spoon and allow to drain on a paper towel lined plate and reserve.  Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pot and add one tablespoon of butter to the pot, lower the heat to medium and add the onion and saute until translucent then add the garlic and saute 1 more minute.. Dust the vegetables with flour and stir to coat everything well.  Cook the flour off for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly to make sure nothing sticks and burns on the bottom of the pot.




Whisk in the stock one cup at a time and bring to a boil.




Add the potatoes, bring to a boil.  Boil for about 5 minutes, until the potatoes soften and are almost to the point of breaking down.  The broken-down potatoes will give the soup body and a smooth texture and the potatoes that remain in tact with the the soup a little something-something.




Add the cream to the soup, gently stir to blend.  Once the soup begins to bubble, lower the heat to simmer and cook for about 15 minutes; enough time for the corn to soften up a bit.  Season to taste with salt and pepper and a little splash of extra virgin olive oil and maybe even a little dash of cayenne.





 Ladle a generous helping of this hearty chowder into a bowl and garnish with the sharp cheddar cheese and the reserved bacon.


Does anyone know who got kicked off "Dancing with the Stars" this week?  Wait, don't tell me, I want to be surprised!

Stay warm, dry and well-fed!



12 comments:

The JR said...

That would fit today perfectly. We got a bad cold snap yesterday.

Mr. Bill said...

What a great chowder!! Thanks for sharing.

Zesty Cook said...

Looks delicious, Katherine! It's definitely soup season!

Debbie said...

Delicious Katherine and that bacon just puts it over the top!!! It's raining here too and cooling off quite a bit from the last few days.

Big Dude said...

Looks like a delicious chowder Katherine and perfect for this cold snap.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What a delicious chowder for our cold damp weather. Fall is definitely in the air here too.
Sam

gigi said...

Carson. This would be a really big hit around our house!

Chris said...

Don't ever offer me "corn fish" because I'll know what you're up to!

But this kick arse corn chowder is going on my "try this" list, Katherine.

Btw...have you quit "abusing your daughter's rights" and bought her a kajillion dollar phone with a $100 a month data plan? ha ha ha :) Trevor finally has his phone back.

The Blonde Duck said...

My sister is the same way--all she eats is corn and fried squash. I can't wait to make this--it'll be another week or two before it gets cold here!

Claudia said...

Katherine - this would be grand today. A nip in the air - and maybe some welcome rain coming (driest autumn ever). Wishing the corn wasn't gone. Not only would my husband be first at this table - the neighbors would be lined up also!

Southern Elle said...

I love corn chowder! This looks so warm and delicious.

brianne rae said...

I'm currently following your recipe and noticed that you don't tell us when to add the corn! I'm assuming it's after you boil the potatoes for 5 minutes - hopefully this turns out yummy still! Can't wait to be finished to try it. :]