August Corn Chowder Food

CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Put the olive oil in a large wide pot. Toss in the bacon and bring the pan to a low to medium heat. Cook the bacon slowly, stirring occasionally, until the bacon has let off a lot of fat and is crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Don't rush this step...you WANT the fat to melt out of the bacon. When the bacon is crisp, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pot and reserve it on paper towels.
• Add the onions and jalapenos to the pot and turn the heat up to medium-high. Season with salt and cook until the onions are soft and very aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes. Toss in the garlic and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add half of the corn kernels, the cobs, half of the potatoes, bay leaves and stock. Season with salt. Bring the soup to a boil (BTB) and reduce to a simmer (RTS) and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the corn cobs from the chowder and let cool. Remove the bay leaves and discard. Using an immersion blender, regular blender or food processor in batches, puree the soup until smooth. Return the soup to the pot, toss in the remaining potatoes and 1 cup water. Add the sugar and chipotle powder. Bring the soup to a medium heat and cook until the potatoes are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Stir the soup frequently to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom.
• While the potatoes are cooking in the soup, run a knife up the cooled corn cobs to scrape the yummy little pieces of the corn closest to the cob off--this is the most delicious corn-y goodness!!! When the potatoes are cooked, toss in the remaining corn, the corn cob scrapings and the heavy cream. Stir to combine. Taste and correct the seasoning if needed.
• Serve immediately topped with the chives and reserved crispy bacon.
• Corn hole-in-one!!!!

CHICKEN AND CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Cut the kernels off the corn and scrape the cobs with the back of a knife to remove the liquid. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a dutch oven or other large pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon; remove 2 tablespoons of the drippings and set aside.
• Reduce the heat under the pot to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the chopped onion, corn and liquid, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the potatoes and chopped garlic to the pot and season with the smoked paprika and thyme; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and 1 teaspoon salt; cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Smash some of the potatoes with a fork to thicken the soup. Stir in the chicken and heavy cream and cook until the chicken is warmed through, about 3 minutes.
• Heat the reserved bacon drippings in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until browned, 3 minutes, adding the sliced garlic during the last 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon to the plate with the bacon. Divide the soup among bowls; top with the bacon, onion and garlic.

CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Cook the bacon: Place butter and bacon into a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Heat on medium heat until the bacon renders its fat, 3-4 minutes.
• Cook the vegetables (except the corn and potatoes): Add the chopped onions, red bell pepper, carrot, and celery, lower the heat to medium low and cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add corn cobs and bring to a simmer: Break the corn cobs in half (after you've stripped off the corn) and add the cobs to the pot. Add the milk and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a bare simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes. Make sure the heat is as low as can be and still maintain a gentle simmer (on our stove we had to use the "warm" setting) to prevent scalding the milk on the bottom of the pan.
• Add potatoes: After 20 minutes, add the potatoes, salt, and thyme to the pot. Increase the heat to return the soup to a simmer, then lower the heat to maintain the simmer and cook for another 10 minutes.
• Finish the soup: Discard the cobs, the bacon strip, and the bay leaf. Add the corn kernels and black pepper. Again raise the heat to bring the soup to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook for another 5 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

BASIC CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Shuck corn, and use a paring knife to strip kernels into a bowl. Put cobs in a pot with 4 cups water; bring to a boil, cover and simmer while you continue.
• Put butter or oil in a saucepan, and turn heat to medium-high. When butter melts or oil is hot, add onion and potatoes, along with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, about 5 minutes; add tomatoes and cook, stirring, for another minute or two.
• After corncobs have cooked at least 10 minutes, strain liquid into onion-potato mixture; bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. When potatoes are tender, add corn kernels and milk, and heat through. Taste, and adjust seasonings. Garnish with the parsley, and serve.

CORN CHOWDER WITH GARLIC CROûTONS

Steps:

• Heat butter in a pan, then cook onion, garlic, celery, pepper and potato for 5 mins. Stir in milk and stock, bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins. Stir in corn, cook for 3 mins, then add Tabasco and seasoning.
• For the croûtons, place the bread in a bowl with the garlic, oil and some salt, toss well. Heat a non-stick pan, then gently cook cubes until golden and crisp. Serve the soup topped with the chives and croûtons.