Corn Chowder

Course

Lunch, Dinner

Servings

6-8 (3 qts)

Ingredients

• 6 ears corn, husks and silks removed
• 1 1/2 qts chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp whole fennel seed
• 1 tsp coriander seed
• 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (~1 cup)
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 or 2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (~1 1/2 cups)
• 2 cups half and half
• Salt and ground black pepper
• Sugar
• 3 green onions, finely sliced

Directions

1. Hold one corn cob upright in a large bowl and cut off kernels with a sharp knife. Repeat with remaining cobs and reserve kernels and cobs separately.
2. Use the back of a knife to scrape corn cobs into a medium saucepan to collect any milk left in the bases of the kernels. Break corn cobs in half and add to saucepan. Add chicken or vegetable stock, bay leaf, fennel seed, coriander seed, and whole black peppercorns. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to just below a simmer, and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and discard cobs and spices.
3. While stock infuses, melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, and corn kernels, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and kernels are tender, ~7 minutes. Reduce heat if butter begins to brown. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
4. Stirring constantly, gradually add infused corn stock, letting mixture come to a simmer. Add potatoes and 1 tsp salt. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, ~10 minutes. Add half and half and stir to combine. (Soup may look broken with melted butter floating on top at this stage.)
5. Transfer 1/4 of soup to a blender and blend on high heat until smooth, about 1 minute. Return to pot and whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sugar. Serve immediately, sprinkled with sliced scallions.

Source

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/the-best-corn-chowder-recipe.html