Crab-and-Corn Chowder with Bacon and Chanterelle Mushrooms

By KrissyW330

Ingredients

• 6 ears fresh yellow corn
• 4 cups low-salt chicken broth
• 3 cups whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 7 bacon slices, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 2 medium)
• 3/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 3/4 pounds white-skinned potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 6 ounces fresh chanterelle mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 2 tablespoons dry Sherry
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 pound fresh crabmeat
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from epicurious.com

Preparation

Step 1

Cut kernels off corn cobs. Set kernels aside. Combine cobs, broth, and cream in heavy large saucepan. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon and sauté until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons pan drippings; add onion, leeks, celery, and fennel seeds to pot. Sauté until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in potatoes. Discard cobs from cream mixture; strain cream mixture into potato mixture. Simmer until potatoes are almost tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in corn kernels. Simmer chowder until potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes longer.

Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in Sherry and thyme. Add mushroom mixture to chowder. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Sauté crabmeat in same large skillet over medium-low heat just until heated through, about 3 minutes. Divide crabmeat, reserved bacon, and parsley among bowls. Ladle chowder over and serve.