Spicy Corn Chowder

Corn chowder's one of our favorites around here. Actually chowder of any kind ranks right up there and while we've promoted several versions of this soup in the past, the one we enjoyed last night is rather unique. 

Made with the usual crisped up bacon chunks, sauteed yellow onion, diced potatoes and corn, it becomes a real tummy warmer with the addition of powdered chipotle chili pepper as it imparts a smoky sweet spicy hot surprise to every spoonful.  We're major fans of these dried smoked jalapeno peppers and if you like the flavor of chipotles in adobo sauce, you'll love this, if for no other reason than its convenience.

It really tips the sombrero at what could be an ordinary bowl of corn soup but we took it one step above with the addition of hot salsa as a garnish. It's a great way to celebrate the end of summer and beginning of fabulous fall. Naturally, we took it a step further with a garnish of hot salsa and some buttermilk biscuits on the side but crispy oven baked corn tortillas would have been the bomb. Darn - why didn't I think of that?

A few other corny delights from JBug's Kitchen...

    with Sausage          Kicky Corn and Cheese     Corn and Clams

Spicy Corn Chowder an original from JBug’s Kitchen Antics

1 tablespoon olive oil

5 slices bacon, diced

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, diced

1 – 12 ounce package frozen corn, thawed

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 to 3 teaspoons dried chipotle pepper powder, depending on  tastes

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

6 cups chicken stock

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup half and half

Salsa for garnish (optional)

Heat oil in a large heavy pot until shimmering. Add bacon and cook until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon from pot and set aside, leaving drippings in pot. Add onion and cook until softened. Add potatoes, corn, garlic powder, chipotle powder, salt and pepper and cook stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add stock to pot, bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 25 minutes. Whisk flour into milk and add to the chowder along with the half and half. Cook stirring until chowder bubbles and thickens. Serve garnished with bacon and salsa. Makes 6 servings. 

A year ago - Venetian Shrimp and Scallops

Two year's ago - Hawaiian Pork Chops

Three year's ago -  Brined Pork Loin with Port Sauce

Comments

[Lea M. Callais]

You just know how to take it to that next level, don't you? Fabulous idea! I can'y do the adobo sauce, but I can do the powdered chipotle chili pepper - and that is wonderful for me! I bet I can go the green chile (salsa, too) route... hmmm ideas lead to ideas... you do so inspire me!

[June]

That works both ways my friend!

[Lorraine]

Bacon, corn, chipotle...that is a new combo. Yum.

[June]

Lorraine - it would have been fabulous with chorizo but bacon is a never fail as far as we're concerned. Big Guy really loved the extra spice too, naturally.

[Lea M. Callais]

I did make the chowder yesterday and I added a can of hatch chiles to the mix along with 2 bells (one yellow and one orange, because that is what I had and they were begging - literally - to be used up) and my 2 onions and I also tossed in some corn into the food processor to make the chowder more creamy... I did not chop the veg - hands feeling a bit shaky... Well, I cooked those veg down in the pot I cooked the bacon in after I drained off most of the fat... I know - I was sad to see it go... and I did brown the veg a bit. I added the meat from a rotisserie chicken I got at a local grocery that was also begging to be used, and some nice taters and some frozen corn, a bunch of water and a can of pet milk - heck I adore that stuff. Simmered until I had to go fetch the hubs at the airport from his trip to Chile for work. Returned about 4 hours later, it was still warm. I sprinkled cheese on his bowl and some of the bacon. I sprinkled mine with the chipotle powder ;) then a bit of cheese and some bacon - talk about good - and we shared a hass avocado!!! A fabulous dinner!!! And a small bowl was quite filling, to be sure! The hatch chile's flavor was in the background and quite lovely! I recommend!

[June]

Lea - don't ya' just love Hatch chile? I'll be making corn chowder your way very soon. It sounds wonderful!