Earthbound Farm Corn Chowder

Abiner Smoothie's Note:

A sweet, summer corn chowder from the Earthbound Farm Cookbook.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 4 cups corn kernels, fresh or 4 cups corn kernels , frozen
• 3 slices thick-cut bacon , cut in 1/4 inch dice
• 1 medium yellow onion , minced
• 2 celery ribs , minced
• 5 cups chicken broth or 5 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 2 cups yukon gold potatoes , peeled and diced
• 1 ½ cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon white pepper

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp (5-10 minutes) then drain on paper towels.
2. Add the onion and celery to the fat and cook until they are soft for 10 minutes.
3. Add stock, bay leaf, potatoes and thyme to the saucepan and boil over high heat. Reduce and let simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
4. Cover and turn off heat. Leave on stove for 20 minutes then discard the bay leaf and thyme sprig. Add the bacon, corn and half-and half. (You can remove 2 cups of the chowder and puree it in a blender and then add that back to the chowder for a thicker consistency).
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Reviews

[Mike.Nelson]

This was very good. I used frozen corn and dried thyme. I also used season salt and a dash of garlic salt instead of regular salt and doubled the bacon. It will be made quite often over the winter because this was such a winner!

[Southern Slow Cooker]

I was a tad bit disappointed with this one. The flavors were generally a bit bland for my taste--I would add some coriander or cumin and a bit more white pepper if I were to make it again. I also found it to be a bit watery--I definitely recommend pureeing the two cups of chowder, but even then the consistency was a bit off for me. I left out the bacon for a vegetarian and would consider adding in some carrots if I make it again.

[Dreamer in Ontario]

We loved this soup! I used 2% evaporated milk in place of the half and half to cut down on some calories and fat. I also used part vegetable broth and part chicken broth to use up what I had in the pantry. Rather than removing 2 cups and pureeing it, I used a few buzzes of an immersion blender. The seasonings were perfect and required no adjustments, in our opinion. This recipe will be going into our favourites cookbook. Thank you for sharing it. Made for Spring 2011 PAC.