Smoky Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- 4-5 slices bacon, chopped
- ½ cup diced onion or leeks
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 packages (10-ounces each) frozen corn
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 green onions, white parts cut off and discarded and green parts thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a 4 or 5-quart saucepan, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until golden and crisp. Scoop onto a paper-lined plate and discard all of the bacon grease except a very thin coating (about 1-2 teaspoons).
- Add the onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic, paprika and red pepper and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the corn, broth and milk. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Transfer half of the soup to a blender (very carefully - don't overfill the blender since hot liquids will expand while blending!) and puree until mostly smooth.
- Return the blended soup to the pot and add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Taste and add more if needed.
- Serve warm topped with green onions and bacon.
Notes
Paprika: you can sub regular paprika for the smoked but you'll lose, well, the smoky flavor (and it's delicious, I'm telling you).