Mommy Bits

Coming from Iowa I have grown up on corn and have eaten it just about any way that you can think to prepare it. I could, and do, eat it about every day -year round (NEVER from a can!!). Always looking for new ways to serve it, my husband developed a recipe for corn chowder that is out of this world. Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons butter

4 scallions, white bulbs and green tops chopped and reserved separately

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 sticks of celery, chopped

1 pound potatoes (about 3) peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 cups fresh corn kernels (cut from about 8 ears)

1 bay leaf

1 quart canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

Sour cream, for serving (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over moderately low heat. Add the scallion bulbs, bell pepper, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, 2 cups of the corn, the bay leaf, broth, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

In a blender or food processor, puree the remaining 2 cups corn with the milk. Stir the puree into the soup along with the black pepper. Simmer until the soup thickens slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the scallion greens. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream, if using.

VARIATIONS: When corn is out of season you can substitute frozen corn for fresh. Just puree two cups of it with the milk as directed above, and add the remaining two cups to the soup along with the puree. Since the corn is already cooked, it might toughen if it goes in earlier.