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Basic Corn Chowder [with Variations]

Source of Recipe


The Everett Herald






List of Ingredients



• 4 to 6 ears of corn (4 cups kernels)
  
• 2 cups water
  
• 3 cups milk
  
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 Tbsp butter
  
• 1 medium onion, chopped
  
• 3 medium all-purpose potatoes, diced
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  
• 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  
• A sprig or two of fresh thyme
  






Instructions



1. Remove the kernels from the ears of corn. Set the kernels aside.
   
   
2. Place the cobs in a soup pot and cover with the water and 1-1/2 cups of the milk. Bring the liquid to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the cobs. Strain the liquid and set aside.
   
   
3. Wipe out the pan and add the olive oil and butter. Place the pan over moderate heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, add the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it has wilted. Add the potatoes and cook them for about 1 minute. Add the strained corn cooking liquid, the bay leaf, salt, pepper, parsley and thyme. Bring the soup to a simmer, cover the pan and cook about 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Add the remaining milk and the corn. Cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and serve.
   
   Serves 8
   
   BASIC CORN CHOWDER WITH BACON: Substitute 8 slices chopped bacon for the olive oil and butter. Cook bacon until pieces are crispy. Remove bacon and set it aside. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the pan fat. Substitute 1 cup of half-and-half for the cup of milk added with the corn. Add the bacon pieces to the soup and serve.
   
   CORN AND SHRIMP CHOWDER: Prepare chowder made with bacon, but use dill instead of thyme. Before adding onion, cook 1 pound shrimp (cut up) in bacon fat over moderate heat 3 to 4 minutes, or until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside. When you add the onion, also add 1 large stalk celery (chopped) and 2 chopped carrots. Proceed with the recipe. Return the shrimp to the pan 5 minutes before the soup is done.