{in the pot} corn chowder

This is week one of eight weeks of participating in the online cooking group. I will be posting my regular recipes throughout the week but for the next 8 weeks on Tuesday's I will be experimenting with new easy recipes with my three kids in mind. I will let them help me pick the recipe and help make the meal. They love to cook so this should be fun. As mom's we are always searching for "foolproof, kid-approved recipes" so .... here is my first: kid friendly: corn chowder.

This is a great recipe for corn chowder that can be made anytime of year combine with a green salad and some crusty bread or some toasted pita or even corn chips and you have a very easy great meal. My kids like this chowder because it is a slightly sweet soup. But don't be fooled you can give it a kick if you would like. enjoy.

2 pkg frozen sweet corn

3 pc. bacon - chopped

1 onion chopped

1 shallot chopped

bay leaf

salt & pepper

smoked paprika

cayenne pepper

chicken or vegetable broth - 3 cups or so

1/2 - 1 cup half & half or milk (you could also use sour cream maybe 1/2c)

chives - (if you have them)

Saute bacon until lightly crisp and remove from the pan. Saute onion and shallot in bacon drippings YUM! Add your corn, your sauteed bacon and enough chicken broth to cover. Add bay leaf and some salt and pepper (remember that bacon gives you a lot of salt). Simmer for 20 min or so. Take out bay leaf and puree in batches in a blender. You can reserve some of this mixture if you like the whole kernels in your soup. Stir in sauteed bacon, a couple of good pinches of the smoked paprika, a pinch of the cayenne and your milk or cream. Stir together and let the soup simmer again. Adjust seasonings and salt and pepper to taste.

Now you are ready to go! I have used these garnished before and love them all.

avocado, sauteed chorizo, chives, sour cream, croutons.... hmmm what about some crab meat too!

Have fun and enjoy the sunny color!