Soup’s On – Corn Chowder

As the weather begins to cool down we all seem to look forward to certain signals that remind us it is Fall.  Putting on our favorite sweaters, watching the leaves change color, seeing pumpkins appear on doorsteps and porches and the comfort of warming ourselves with soup.

One of our favorites is corn chowder.  It involves ingredients that are easy to come by, takes very little time to make and tastes soothing and delicious.

Especially if you pair it with some good Chardonnay and fresh French bread. This is a meal you can make any night of the week in minutes, or make it on the weekend and warm it whenever during the week you’re ready to serve it.  What could speak love and comfort to your family more than some hot soup and warm bread 🙂

Corn Chowder

6 ears of fresh corn  (or  a large bag of frozen corn)*
1 large onion
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 yellow pepper
2 potatoes, diced
1 clove garlic
4 cups chicken stock
3 cups whole milk
1 lb. bacon
1 bunch green onions
1 heaping tablespoon masa harina (or corn starch) + 1/4 cup milk (This is optional)

Clean the corn and cut it from the cob.

Chop the bacon and fry it in a pan large enough to make the soup.

Remove the cooked bacon and drain it on paper towels.

Chop onion into small pieces.  Cut the peppers into small pieces.

Mince the garlic.  Saute onions, peppers and garlic in the bacon fat just until they are soft and wilted a bit.  Stir in the corn and cook for another couple minutes.  Add the salt and pepper.

While the corn and other vegetables are cooking, peel and chop the potatoes into small chunks.

Add potatoes to other vegetables and then stir in the chicken broth.  Allow the chicken broth to come to a boil and cook for about 5-7 minutes to allow potatoes to cook.

Stir in the 3 cups of milk and heat all the way through but do not allow soup to boil as this could curdle the milk.  Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed.   If you prefer the consistency of your soup to be a bit thicker, mix together 1 tablespoon of masa harina (this is corn flour) or corn starch and 1/4 cup of milk.  Add this to soup and stir for a minute or so until soup begins to thicken slightly.  You can add this mixture again if you want the soup to be really thick.  Taste again to adjust seasoning as necessary.

To serve, ladle soup into bowls.  Chop the green onions and sprinkle some on top of soup along with some of the cooked bacon. This is a hearty and delicious soup that will warm you body and soul, especially when served with fresh French bread.  Enjoy!