Corn chowder

This post will kill two birds with one stone.  First I can show you the awesome soup bowls my in-law's gave me for my birthday.  I also realized I haven't posted a recipe in quite a while.  Since what I have in the picture below is a corn chowder, I'll share the recipe for it.  This is one of my all-time favorite soups and it's super easy!

Corn Chowder

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound bacon, diced finely
• 1 large onion - chopped
• 7 oz can of green chilies
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 4 cups chicken broth or stock
• 4 cups peeled, finely diced all-purpose potato
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (pretty spicy… add less if you like less heat)
• 2 tablespoons Italian parsley
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup half-and-half

Directions

Cook bacon until super, super crispy!  Scoop out the bacon and drain on paper towels. Save for later--don't nibble too much.

Pour off all but 1/4 cup of fat from the pot. Toss in the onions and green chilies, seasoning them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook till soft and then throw in the garlic, cooking it all for 1 minute more. Sprinkle on the flour and mix into the veggies. Dump in the broth, potatoes, thyme, cayenne and parsley. Cover the pot and bring to a boil; then lower the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or till the potatoes are tender. Add the corn. Cover and simmer everything 5 to 6 minutes longer.  Stir in the half-and-half and crispy bacon. Check seasonings… add more salt if needed, and lots of freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give it one last stir, and ladle it up piping hot.