- 6
Ingredients
- 8 ears corn, husks and silk removed
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped fine
- 4 slices bacon, halved lengthwise the cut crosswise into 1/4 inch pieces
- 2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
- salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 5 cups water
- 3/4 pound red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 cup half-and-half
- Sugar
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
Preparation
Step 1
1. Using knife or corn stripper cut kernels from corn, transfer to bowl and set aside (you should have 5-6 cups kernels). Holding cobs over second bowl use back of butter knife to firmly scrape any remaining pulp on cobs into bowl (you should have 2 to 2-1/2 cups pulp). Transfer pulp to center of clean kitchen towel set in medium bowl. Wrap towel tightly around pulp and squeeze tightly until dry. Discard pulp in towel and set corn juice aside (you should have about 2/3 cups juice).
2. Melt butter in dutch oven over medium heat; add onion, bacon, thyme, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. epper; cook, stirring frequently until onion is softened and edges are beginning to brown, 8-10 minutes. Stir in flour and cook stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Whisking constantly gradually add water and bring to boil. Add corn kernels and potatoes. Return to simmer reduce heat to medium-low and cook until potatoes have softened, 15-18 minutes.
3. Process 2 cups chowder in blender until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Return puree to chowder, add half-and-half and return to simmer. Remove pot from heat and stir in reserved corn juice. Season to taste with salt, pepper and up to 1 Tbsp sugar. Serve, sprinkling with basil.