Kennedy Sweet Corn Chowder from Hyannisport

Caroline and Jackie served this for the wedding week luncheon of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver in 1986 - and it's a family favorite - simple and tasty --

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 8-12

Ingredients

• 2  cups milk
• 6  ears  sweet corn, shucked
• 6  tablespoons  kerry irish gold butter
• 1  large onion, diced
• 1⁄4 lb  thick-sliced bacon, finely diced
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2  cups  chicken stock
• 1  lb  red potatoes, peeled and finely diced
• 1  cup  light cream or 1  cup half-and-half
•  s and fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. In a stockpot or other large soup pot, combine the milk with 2 quarts (8 cups) of water. Bring to a boil. Add the corn on the cob and cook it for 5 minutes or until tender.
2. Using tongs, transfer the corn to a colander. Measure out and reserve 4 cups of the corn cooking liquid; discard the remainder. When the corn is cool enough to handle, cut or scrape the kernels off the cob with a large sharp knife.
3. Melt the butter in a large soup pot or flame-proof casserole over medium heat. Add the onion and bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and the bacon has rendered its fat, 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Sprinkle on the flour and cook, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the reserved corn broth and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, stirring until thickened slightly. Add the diced potatoes and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Then add the corn kernels and cream. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.