Corn Chowder with Chipotles

More comfort food from Toronto Chef Cristine Cushing! While its best to use fresh corn, especially when in season, frozen corn will be okay.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 3  slices smoked bacon
• 1  onion, chopped
• 2  cloves garlic, minced
• 2  stalks celery, chopped
• 3  cups  chicken stock
• 2  medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1  sweet red pepper, diced
• 3  cups corn kernels
• 1⁄2-3⁄4 cup  whipping cream
• 1⁄2 chipotle chile in adobo, minced,to taste
•  milk, to taste
•  coarse salt
•  freshly cracked black pepper
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium-high heat just until crisp.
2. Remove bacon and drain on paper towel.
3. Set aside.
4. Reserve 1 tbsp.
5. of bacon in the saucepan and remove some of the bacon fat from pan and discard.
6. Use the same saucepan to cook the chowder.
7. Reduce heat to medium and add onion, garlic and celery to the saucepan.
8. Sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
9. Add stock and potatoes and bring to a boil.
10. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, until potatoes are slightly tender.
11. Add red pepper, corn, whipping cream, chipotle pepper and continue to cook for another 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
12. Crumble reserved bacon and stir into soup.
13. If chowder is too thick, adjust with ¼ cup of milk and just reheat until steaming.
14. Season with salt and pepper and stir in cilantro.
15. Serve.