Kenz
Culinary Explorer
A comforting soup
Ingredients:
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups milk (or half-and-half for a richer texture)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned; if using canned, drain and rinse)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for a cheesy chowder)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave a bit of bacon fat in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- In the same pot with the bacon fat, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
- Make the Roux:
- Add the butter to the pot and let it melt.
- Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes until the mixture is golden and bubbly. This forms the roux that will thicken the soup.
- Add Broth and Dairy:
- Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth, making sure to eliminate any lumps.
- Stir in the milk and heavy cream.
- Cook the Potatoes:
- Add the diced potatoes, corn, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Season and Finish:
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If you’re using cheddar cheese, stir it in now until melted and well combined.
- Serve:
- Ladle the chowder into bowls.
- Garnish with the crispy bacon, fresh parsley, or chives.
Variations:
- Clam Chowder: Substitute the corn with 2 cans (about 6.5 oz each) of chopped clams, including their juice. You can also add a little bit of clam juice or extra broth if needed.
- Vegetarian Chowder: Omit the bacon and use olive oil or a plant-based butter. You can add extra vegetables like bell peppers or celery.