Old Mill Restaurant's Signature Corn Chowder

On a trip to Knoxville & Pigeon Forge Tennessee we ate at The Old Mill Restaurant. It's be in operation since 1830 and we had the most amazing Corn Chowder as the start to our meal. I prefer to use a ham base in this soup and the store bought is just as good as the homemade kind. This is a nice soup that tastes like it is more work than it really is.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 2 quarts

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons butter, divided
• 3  cups onions, diced
• 3⁄4 cup  crumbled unsalted  oyster crackers
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 2  cups water
• 1  cup  clam juice
• 2  cups  chicken stock or 2  cups  beef stock or 2  cups  ham stock
• 3  cups potatoes, diced
• 2  cups half-and-half
• 2  cups frozen corn (defrosted)
• 1  green bell pepper, chopped
• 1  red bell pepper, chopped
•  garlic powder
•  onion powder
•  white pepper

Directions

1. Mix liquids and 1 tablespoon butter, add potatoes and onions, cook until done.
2. Mix cracker crumbs, flour and seasonings. Add to potato and onion mixture.
3. Sauté chopped bell peppers in remaining butter till tender.
4. Add to potato and onion mixture.
5. Stir to mix well, bring to boil; add half and half and corn.
6. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
7. *Seasonings are to taste. Taste often and add extra as desired.