Corn Chowder with Bacon

 Recipe Tin Eats

CORN (CHOOSE ONE)

• ▢4 ears of corn
• ▢4 cups / 750g / 1.5 lb frozen or canned corn , drained

SOUP:

• ▢1 tsp butter (or oil)
• ▢250g / 8 oz bacon , chopped
• ▢30g / 2 tbsp butter (use 3 tbsp if bacon is lean)
• ▢1 garlic clove , minced
• ▢1 small onion , diced (or half large onion) (yellow, brown or white)
• ▢5 tbsp flour
• ▢2 cups chicken broth , low sodium
• ▢3 cups milk (I use low fat but full fat will work too)
• ▢600g / 1.2 lb potatoes , cut into 1 cm / 2/5" cubes (about 2 large)
• ▢2 sprigs of thyme OR 1 tsp dried thyme
• ▢3/4 cup cream (Note 1)
• ▢3/4 cup shallots / scallions , green part finely sliced
• ▢Salt and finely ground pepper to taste
• 
  
• • Cut the corn off the cob. This is how I do it: Place a small ramekin in a large bowl. Place corn on the ramekin then cut the corn off. See video. Keep naked cobs.
  • Place 1 tsp butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until golden. Use a slotted spoon to remove onto a paper towel lined plate. Leave fat in pot.
  • Lower heat to medium high. Add 2 tbsp butter, once melted, add garlic and onion. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes until onion is translucent.
  • Add flour and mix it in. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add broth, milk, potatoes, thyme and bay leaf. Break naked cobs into 2 or 3 and add into the liquid. Put the lid on and simmer for 25 minutes (adjust heat so it's simmering energetically but not bubbling like crazy or super gently).
  • Remove lid, remove corn cobs. Add corn and cook for 5 minutes or until cooked to your taste.
  • Stir through cream and 3/4 of the bacon and shallots. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining bacon and shallots.

  Recipe Notes: