Description
Simple corn chowder celebrates summer’s bounty with creamy richness and robust corn flavor. Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a comforting meal that warms souls and satisfies hunger.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 3 cups corn (fresh, frozen, or canned & drained)
- 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped (or 2 tbsps butter for a vegetarian version)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
- 2 tbsps cornstarch + 3 tbsps water (for thickening, optional)
- Chopped green onions or fresh parsley
- Extra crispy bacon bits
- A sprinkle of shredded cheese
Instructions
- Bacon Infusion: Heat a spacious pot over medium flame, rendering bacon until golden and crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon, preserving the flavorful grease. If bacon-free, substitute with butter for comparable depth.
- Aromatic Base: Sauté diced onions and celery in bacon drippings until softened and translucent. Quickly introduce minced garlic, stirring to release its essence without scorching.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine sweet corn kernels, diced potatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing potatoes to become tender and ingredients to harmonize.
- Creamy Transformation: Fold in heavy cream and optional cheddar cheese, stirring until fully incorporated. Whisk cornstarch with cool water to create a thickening slurry, gently blending into the simmering chowder to achieve desired consistency.
- Elegant Presentation: Ladle into warm bowls, crowning with crispy bacon bits, freshly chopped green onions, and an additional cheese sprinkle. Serve alongside rustic bread or warm biscuits for a soul-warming culinary experience.
Notes
- Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut bacon for richer flavor and better texture, ensuring crispy pieces for garnishing and maximum taste depth.
- Corn Quality Matters: Use fresh or frozen corn kernels for optimal sweetness; avoid canned corn to maintain the chowder’s authentic, vibrant taste profile.
- Potato Preparation: Cut potatoes into uniform, small cubes to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Cream Temperament: Add heavy cream at the end and avoid boiling to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, silky consistency in the chowder.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg