Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped carrots (2 medium)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery (1 stalk)
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion (1 small)
  • 3 cups peeled and cubed russet potatoes (about 1 pound)
  • 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • 4 cups frozen whole kernel corn
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme
  • 4 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled

Preparation

Step 1

In a medium saucepan heat oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion; cook about 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Transfer mixture to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in potatoes, broth, bay leaf, salt, dried thyme, and paprika.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting about 3 hours or on high-heat setting about 1-1/2 hours or until potatoes are tender. Stir in corn and milk. Cover and cook about 1 hour or until heated through.
In a small bowl stir together cornstarch and wine; stir into mixture in cooker. Cover and cook for 10 minutes more. Stir in fresh thyme.
Using a potato masher, gently mash potatoes until soup is slightly thickened. Sprinkle each serving with crumbled bacon.