Turkey Corn Chowder with Bacon

This chowder was the best use of leftover turkey I’ve found so far. It was so wonderful, it may have to become the traditional recipe for leftover Thanksgiving turkey in my house. It was loaded with flavor and topped with bacon. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

This recipe was adapted from Epicurious.com, contributed by Rhoda Boone. It would also be wonderful with shredded rotisserie chicken.

Yield: Serves 8

• 6 slices bacon (4 ounces)
• 1 medium or large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds (halved lengthwise if large)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 medium jalapeño, finely chopped, plus more to taste
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 6 cups (48 ounces) homemade or store-bought chicken or turkey stock
• 1 medium sweet potato (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Two 4-ounce cans mild diced green chiles, drained
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 4 cups shredded turkey or rotisserie chicken
• 10 ounces frozen corn, thawed
• 3/4 cup half-and-half, plus more to taste
• sliced scallions, for serving
• chopped parsley, for serving

1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Drain on a paper towel and crumble into small pieces and set aside, reserving the fat in the pot. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat, and save for another use.
3. Return the pot to medium heat, and add onion, carrot, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes more.
5. Add jalapeño and cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute more.
6. Add stock, sweet potato, chiles, oregano, and bay leaves and bring to a simmer. Cook until sweet potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
7. Stir in the turkey or chicken and corn and cook until warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes.
8. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and half-and-half. Continue to cook until just warmed through.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning, thinning the chowder with another 1/4 cup half-and-half, if desired.
10. Serve chowder topped with crumbled bacon, scallions, and parsley.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Hazelnuts & Bacon

Yes- more soup! It may be sunny outside but it is still freezing. The positive spin I’ve taken on this gloomy situation is that I can still make delicious soup for dinner. 🙂

This recipe is from one of my favorite magazine columns, the RSVP section of Bon Appétit. It was adapted from chef Mark Filatow of Waterfront Wines in Kelowna, British Columbia. It was fabulous!

• ½ cup raw hazelnuts
• 2 T baking soda
• 1 medium head of cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cut into small florets
• 2 T extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling, optional
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon (about 4 ounces)
• 1 small fennel bulb, chopped
• 1 small onion or ½ of a large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup dry white wine or water
• 6 cups chicken stock
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 2 bay leaves

1. Blanch and Peel the Hazelnuts: Boil 1 ½ cups water in a small saucepan. Add 2 T baking soda and the nuts. Boil for 3 minutes, or until the skin is easily removed. Drain, rinse with cold water, and peel the skin off of the nuts.
2. Preheat oven to 350°, preferably on convection roast.
3. Toast the blanched hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 10–12 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop.
4. While the nuts are cooling, increase oven to 400°, preferably on convection roast.
5. Toss cauliflower and 2 T oil on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing once, until florets are browned all over and tender, 30–35 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, cut bacon crosswise into ½” pieces.
7. Heat a heavy pot over medium and cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 10–12 minutes. Transfer to paper towels.
8. Cook fennel, onion, and garlic (I chopped them using a food processor) in drippings in pot, stirring occasionally, until onion and fennel are very soft, 5–10 minutes.
9. Add wine and cook until mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.
10. Add roasted cauliflower, broth, cream, and bay leaves; season with salt and pepper.
11. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until cauliflower is very tender, 20–25 minutes.
12. Pluck out bay leaves; discard. Let mixture cool slightly.
13. Working in batches, purée cauliflower mixture until very smooth. (I puréed the soup using an immersion blender in the pot.)
14. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
15. Just before serving, ladle soup into bowls; top with bacon and nuts and drizzle with oil, if desired. (I omitted the additional oil.)

Do Ahead: Soup can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill soup and bacon separately.

One Year Ago: Breakfast Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Muffins

Two Years Ago: Cheesy Pasta Casserole with Wild Mushrooms

Three Years Ago: Gemelli with Mushrooms & Ricotta

Four Years Ago: Saffron Pappardelle with Moroccan Spiced Shallot-Butter Sauce

Five Years Ago: Minestrone and Macaroni Baked in Yogurt (Arshda Madznov)

Spicy Roasted Poblano & Potato Chowder with Maple & Browned Butter Skillet Cornbread

When it snows on the first day of spring, you have to seize the opportunity to make one last cozy soup- at least in my house. 🙂

On a recent family trip to Newport, Rhode Island, we ate a lot of delicious chowder. Sometimes twice in one day! This inspired the choice to make a chowder during our last (hopefully our last) snowstorm of the season.

This recipe was adapted from Easy Soups from Scratch with Quick Breads to Match by Ivy Manning. I modified the method and proportions, and added a cilantro garnish. I really liked the soup and quick bread pairings in this book.

For the Chowder:

• 5 medium or large poblano chiles
• 3 T unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 large yellow onions, finely chopped in a food processor
• 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 8 medium garlic cloves, minced in a food processor
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 3 pounds russet potatoes, about 7 medium, peeled and sliced 1/8″ thick with a mandolin
• 4 1/2 T masa harina or fine cornmeal
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese, for garnish
• minced cilantro, for garnish

1. Adjust the oven rack so that it is 6 inches (15 cm) below the heating element and preheat the broiler.
2. Place the poblanos on a small, heavy baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
3. Broil the chiles, turning with tongs halfway through cooking, until the skins are blackened all over, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven. Fold and seal the aluminum foil together and let cool. (This helps the charred skin steam off.)
5. Melt the butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
6. Add the onion and celery and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.
7. Add the garlic and oregano and sauté until fragrant, about 45 seconds.
8. Add the broth and potatoes, cover, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and continue simmering while you prep the chiles.
9. Remove the chiles from the foil pouch. Discard the stems and seeds. Peel off and discard the blackened skins.
10. Chop the chiles and add them to the soup pot.
11. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring frequently, unit the potatoes are fall-apart tender, about 25 minutes.
12. Place the masa in a medium bowl and gradually whisk in the cream.
13. Add the mixture to the soup and cook, uncovered, until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
14. Season with salt and pepper.
15. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with the grated cheese and minced cilantro. Serve immediately.

Note: The cooled soup (without cheese) can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator overnight and reheat very gently.

For the Skillet Cornbread:

• 6 T (85 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (140 g) cornmeal
• 1 cup (140 g) white whole wheat flour
• 1 T baking powder
• 3/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) buttermilk
• 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream or plain full-fat Greek yogurt
• 3 T pure maple syrup
• 2 large eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, preferably on convection.
2. While the oven is preheating, place the butter in a 12-inch (30.5 cm) cast iron skillet and place the skillet into the oven. Heat the pan until the butter is melted and browned, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, maple syrup, and eggs.
5. Add the buttermilk mixture to the cornmeal mixture and scrape the melted butter from the skillet into the batter.
6. Mix with a wooden spoon until just blended. Do not overmix.
7. Scrape the batter into the skillet and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
8. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 14 to 15 minutes.
9. Let bread cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes.
10. Cut the cornbread into wedges or pieces, as desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Note: This moist cornbread freezes well. Stack the cooled wedges, wrap them in foil, and freeze in a ziplock plastic bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, arrange the bread in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with foil, and bake in a 350 degree oven until heated through, about 15 to 20 minutes.

One Year Ago: Butternut Squash Bread Soup

Two Years Ago: White Bean Soup with Bacon & Herbs

Three Years Ago: Slow Cooker Pork Tinga Tacos

Four Years Ago:

• Red Onion Soup with Gruyère Toasts
• Moroccan Butternut Squash Soup

Five Years Ago: Hungarian Lentil Stew and Spicy Lentil Chili

Creamy Corn Chowder

Wow. This was delicious. A real celebration of summer farmstand corn. My local farmstand happens to have absolutely wonderful bi-color corn which I used for this special chowder.

A fresh corn broth is made for the base of this soup. It incorporates the corn cobs, shiitake mushroom stems, herbs, as well as parmesan rinds. I think it really makes the finished dish extraordinary.

I adapted this recipe from Bon Appetit, contributed by Rick Martinez. I lightened the recipe by using half and half instead of heavy cream. I also used home-grown jalapeños instead of Fresno chiles and parsley instead of marjoram. I doubled the garlic too, of course. 😉 Fabulous!!

Yield: Serves 8

• 8 ears of corn
• 2 Parmesan rinds (about 4 ounces)
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and reserved, caps cut into ¼-inch pieces
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• coarse salt
• 5 T unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
• freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 4 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut into ¼-inch pieces (I used 3 thick slices)
• 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled, cut into ½-inch pieces (I used 1 1/2 large potatoes)
• 3 shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 medium leek, white and pale-green parts only, quartered lengthwise, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
• 2 Fresno chiles or jalapeños, seeded, finely chopped
• 2 T all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy cream or half and half
• 1 T chopped marjoram or parsley, plus more for serving
• oyster crackers, for serving, optional

1. Cut kernels from cobs and place in a large bowl. Reserve cobs.
2. Place cobs in a medium pot and add Parmesan rinds, if using, mushroom stems, thyme, bay leaf, 2 tsp. salt, and 8 cups water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until broth is fragrant and reduced by half, 40–50 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard solids and set broth aside.
4. Meanwhile, heat 4 T butter in a large heavy pot over medium-high.
5. Add corn kernels, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is tender and juices have evaporated and browned on the bottom of the pot, 12–15 minutes. Reserve ½ cup corn for serving; transfer remaining corn to a medium bowl.
6. Add wine to pot and cook, scraping up browned bits, until liquid is syrupy, about 2 minutes. Scrape into bowl with remaining corn.
7. Heat remaining 1 T butter in same pot over medium and cook bacon until golden brown and fat has rendered, about 6 minutes.
8. Add potatoes, shallots, leek, garlic, and chopped mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened but haven’t taken on any color, 12–15 minutes.
9. Add chiles and cook until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes.
10. Stir in flour and cook until nutty and fragrant, about 1 minute.
11. Add reserved broth, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are fork-tender, 10–15 minutes.
12. Add half and half (or cream) and corn mixture and cook, stirring, until chowder has thickened, 5–10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in parley. Let sit 15 minutes before serving.
13. Divide chowder among bowls. Top with additional parsley, oyster crackers, and reserved ½ cup corn; season with pepper.

Note: To make this vegetarian, omit the bacon and replace with more shiitake mushrooms; sauté them until they’re golden brown.

One Year Ago:

• Grilled Corn & Poblano Dip

Two Years Ago:

• Rick Bayless’ Roasted Poblano Gazpacho
• Herbed Ricotta Pasta with Corn & Zucchini

Three Years Ago:

• Corn Chowder with Zucchini, Scallion, & Orzo Topping
• Blackberry & Corn Pancakes
• Summer Vegetable & Nectarine “Ceviche”

Lobster & Corn Chowder

This chowder tastes so luscious and rich but it is completely creamless. It doesn’t even have any butter! The “creaminess” is from puréed corn. Its rich and intense flavor is from the homemade stock which is made from the lobster shells and corn cobs. Mmmm. 🙂

This recipe was adapted from Martha Stewart Living. I used 2 lobster tails instead of 1 whole lobster, increased the amount of corn, and added leeks. We ate it with French rolls and green salad. Healthy and wonderful!

Yield: About 6 cups, Serves 4 to 5 as a main course

Total Time: about 2 hours

• 3/4 to 1 pound lobster tails (I used 2)
• 8 fresh corn cobs, kernels removed and cobs reserved
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 leeks, halved and cut into 1/2-inch moons
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 5 large garlic cloves, minced
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• vegetable stock, chicken stock, or clam juice, as needed
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives

1. Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large stockpot. Reduce heat to medium-low. Place lobster into water, and simmer, covered, for 8 minutes. (Do not let water boil.) Transfer lobster tails to ice-water bath using tongs; reserve cooking liquid. Let stand for 10 minutes to cool.
2. Crack lobster tails and remove meat; reserve shells. Coarsely chop meat. (You should have about 1 cup.) Refrigerate until ready to use. (Note: At this point, the lobster meat can be refrigerated overnight.)
3. Return shells to pot with cooking liquid. Add reserved cobs. Simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 35 minutes. Strain stock through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids.
4. Meanwhile, soak the leeks in a bowl of cold water. Swish to clean. Remove leeks from the top allowing any sand or grit to settle on the bottom of the bowl.
5. Heat oil in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Cook corn kernels, leeks, onion, garlic, and 3/4 teaspoon salt, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes.
6. Add 5 cups lobster stock, and cook for 15 minutes. (I had to supplement with chicken stock because I didn’t have 5 cups of lobster stock! Clam juice would also work well as a supplement.) Let cool slightly.
7. Using a slotted spoon, set aside 1 1/2 cups corn mixture.
8. Purée remaining corn mixture and strained liquid in a blender or Vitamix until smooth.
9. Working in batches, strain soup through a large fine-mesh sieve, and return to the pot with reserved corn and lobster meat.
10. Cook over medium heat until warmed through.
11. Stir in chives, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and some pepper. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with additional chives, if desired.

Note: The soup can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.

One Year Ago:

• Rick Bayless’ Classic Ensenada Fish Tacos

Two Years Ago:

• Escarole, Feta, & Shrimp Pasta

Three Years Ago:

• Cheddar Corn Chowder

If you like this you may also like:

• Spaghetti with Corn Carbonara & Crab

Warm Corn Chowder Salad with Bacon

My kids and I brought this tasty side dish when we went to visit my friend and her family during their vacation at Hither Hills State Park in Montauk, New York. (It’s an annual tradition for us!) She and her husband invite friends and cook TONS of food… even though it’s their vacation. 🙂 This year, we actually spent the night in a tent on their camp site! What an adventure! 🙂

This recipe is from Food and Wine, contributed by Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. It is best served warm or at room-temperature. The delicious fresh corn flavor really shines in this dish. Great!

Yield: 10 side-dish servings

• 4 to 5 thick slices of bacon (4 ounces), cut crosswise 1/2 inch thick
• 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 2 red bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 8 ears of corn, kernels removed
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• coarse salt

1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderately low heat, stirring a few times, until it is crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels and let drain.
2. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet. Add the potatoes and cook over moderate heat until they start to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes longer, until almost tender.
3. Add the diced red peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes.
5. Transfer the vegetables to a large bowl and stir in the onion, cider vinegar, crushed red pepper and bacon.
6. Season the salad with salt and serve.

One Year Ago:

• Pesto Pasta Salad with Spinach, Peas, & Pine Nuts

Two Years Ago:

• Grilled Corn Salad

Roasted Poblano Corn Chowder

Corn chowder made with fresh corn is heavenly. I make a Barefoot Contessa version in the late-summer/early-fall EVERY year. This chowder recipe is from one of my favorite blogs- I have a LONG long LONG list of her recipes bookmarked to try- this one was wonderful and I am sure it’s no exception. I adapted the recipe slightly by increasing the corn, potatoes, and garlic, using half & half in lieu of heavy cream, and by adding optional sour cream and cheese to offset the spiciness. So spicy!! So delicious!! This recipe was adapted from The Novice Gardener.

Servings: 6-8

• 4 poblano chiles
• 2 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 2 large Yukon-gold potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 cooked chicken breasts, cubed into bite-size pieces
• kernels from 4 ears of fresh corn
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup half and half
• Fresh herbs (thyme, cilantro, and/or chives), chopped (I used a generous 1/2 cup of cilantro)
• coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper
• ricotta salata, for sprinkling, optional
• sour cream, for serving, optional

1. Roast poblanos either under the broiler or over direct flame on gas stove, until charred and blistered, about 5 minutes per side. Immediately place in a bag and seal or place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Peel the skins and remove seeds and membranes. Rinse chiles and then roughly chop.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Broil until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Cube into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a large soup pot, heat oil; add onion, garlic, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are cooked. Add cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Add stock, potatoes, roasted poblanos, corn, and chicken. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender.
5. Add half & half. Lower heat to a simmer.
6. Add fresh herbs. Serve with cheese and sour cream, if desired.

One Year Ago:

• Mushroom, Leek, & Wild Rice Soup

If you like this you may also like:

• Corn Chowder with Zucchini, Scallion, & Orzo Topping
• Cheddar Corn Chowder