Corn Soup with Chiles and Manchego

By MooK

Ingredients

• 6 ears of corn, kernels cut off, cobs reserved
• 2 quarts water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 Anaheim chile
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1/2 cup shredded Manchego cheese

Preparation

Step 1

In a large saucepan, cover the corn cobs with the water and bring to a boil. Add the bay leaf and simmer over moderately low heat for 40 minutes. Strain the corn broth into a bowl.

Meanwhile, roast the Anaheim chile directly over a gas flame or under a broiler until charred all over. Transfer the chile to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let steam for 5 minutes. Discard the charred skin, stem and seeds and cut the chile into 1/4-inch dice.

In a large saucepan, heat the oil. Add the garlic and onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the corn, season with salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add the reserved corn broth and bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat until the corn is tender, about 10 minutes.

Set a strainer over a large bowl. In a food processor, puree the soup in batches until smooth; strain it into the bowl.

Return the soup to the saucepan, add the half-and-half and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the chile and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the Manchego and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The soup can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat it gently and add the cheese just before serving.