This is a summertime classic, best enjoyed
when the corn is fresh, sweet and flavorful. If, however, you're
craving a burst of summer flavor in the depth of winter frozen
corn kernels make a suitable substitute.
Corn Chowder
6 slices smoked bacon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, diced
3 large ribs celery, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
5 cups chicken stock
2 cups diced red skin or new potatoes
6 cups fresh corn or three 10-ounce packages frozen corn, thawed
3/4 cup heavy cream (can substitute light cream or half-n-half
if desired)
Pinch cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
- Using a large soup pot fry bacon until
crisp and remove from heat, patting excess fat off with paper
toweling.
- Add butter to the pan and melt with bacon
drippings. Add onion and celery, carrot and jalapeno if using
and cook until vegetables are just tender.
- Add stock to soup pot and then potatoes.
Cook until potatoes are tender.
- Puree 4 cups of the corn in a blender
adding a small amount of hot stock while blending. (Caution! Hot liquids create steam
which will blow the top
off the blender! Be sure to securely hold blender lid down!)
- Add pureed corn, 2 cups remaining whole
kernels, and cream. Add pinch of cayenne and adjust seasonings
to taste.
- To serve, garnish individual bowls with
the cooked crumbled bacon.
Serves 4.