Ultimate Corn Chowder
Rated 2.5 stars by 2 users
Category
Soup
Serve this satisfying chowder with cheese or plain biscuits, crusty buns or baguette.
Ingredients
-
3 or 4 cobs of fresh corn
-
4 tbsp butter or olive oil
-
2 or 3 fresh sprigs of thyme if you have it
-
1 large clove of garlic, smashed and peeled
-
salt and pepper
-
1 ½ cups 10% cream (I have used half cream and half vegetable broth)
-
1 tbsp oil
-
2 cups diced onion (or leeks)
-
1 cup diced celery or Swiss chard stems (I have lots of Swiss chard in the garden)
-
¾ cup diced pepper (red or green)
-
1 garlic clove, minced
-
1 ½ tsp finely chopped jalapeño pepper
-
3 cups diced potatoes (I used sweet potatoes, but yellow are also great)
-
4 cups broth (I used vegetable, chicken also works)
-
hot sauce, Tabasco
-
3 tbsp chopped chives
-
Cubed cooked chicken if desired
Directions
Snap or cut the corn in half, cut off the kernels. You should have around 2 ½ cups of corn. Over a bowl use the back side of your knife to scrape the corn milk off, as well as any corn remaining. Set this mixture aside, reserve the cobs.
Melt 2 tbsp of butter, add the corn and corn milk, the smashed garlic, thyme (if you like), ¼ tsp of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 6 or 7 minutes. Add the cream and stir to loosen any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Remove and set aside. Stir occasionally.
In a large pot, melt 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp oil. Add the onions, celery, pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Cook for about 12 minutes, add the minced garlic and jalapeño, cook for another minute. Add potatoes and a little salt.
Add the reserved corn cobs and broth, cover partially and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Remove the cobs, stir in the corn mixture, remove from the heat. Remove about 2 cups of mostly solids and purée in a blender or food processor. Add back to the pot.
Season to taste, add half of the chives and the hot sauce, if desired.
Garnish with the remaining chives.
Recipe Note
(I added about 2 cups of diced leftover chicken)