Corn and Lobster Chowder

I have never been a huge fan of chowder. Chalk it up to a traumatic experience as a child. However, this chowder is FULL of flavor and one that I use often. To cut down on prep time, use cooked lobster meat, available in some fish markets and supermarkets, or follow the directions below for cooking frozen lobster tails. Bon Appetit 2002

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 20  ounces  frozen uncooked lobster tails, thawed or 1  lb  freshly  cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-size pieces
• 8  cups frozen corn kernels, thawed (about 2 1/4 pounds)
• 3  cups low sodium chicken broth
• 8  slices bacon, slices chopped
• 2  cups  chopped onions
• 3⁄4 cup  peeled finely diced carrot
• 2⁄3 cup  finely diced celery
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3  cups bottled clam juice
• 1 1⁄2 cups  whipping cream
• 6  tablespoons sour cream
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 3  tablespoons  chopped fresh chives

Directions

1. If using thawed frozen lobster tails, cook in pot of boiling water until almost cooked through, about 6 minutes. Drain. Cool. Using kitchen shears, cut lobster shells open. Remove lobster meat; cut into bite-size pieces. Discard shells.
2. Purée 4 cups corn with 1 1/4 cups broth in processor until almost smooth.
3. Sauté bacon in large pot over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour off and discard all but 3 tablespoons drippings from pot.
4. Add onions to pot; sauté until light golden, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 4 cups corn; sauté 3 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and cayenne; sauté until vegetables soften slightly, about 5 minutes.
5. Add clam juice and 1 3/4 cups broth; simmer 10 minutes. Stir in corn puré and whipping cream; simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
6. (Lobster, bacon, and soup can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill lobster and bacon separately.
7. Cool soup slightly; chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.
8. Bring bacon to room temperature and bring soup to simmer before continuing.) Remove soup from heat; stir in sour cream.
9. Melt butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add lobster meat and sauté just until heated through, about 2 minutes.
10. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with lobster pieces, bacon, and chives and serve.