Description
Hearty ham and corn chowder delivers comfort in a bowl for hungry families seeking warmth and satisfaction. Rich ingredients blend seamlessly, promising you a delightful meal that warms from within.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb smoked ham (finely chopped)
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels
- 2 large russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 strips bacon (finely cut)
- 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2 celery sticks (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 dash Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium-high heat until crisp and golden, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, preserving the rendered fat.
- Sauté diced onion and celery in the bacon drippings for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously for one minute to create a roux and prevent lumping.
- Add minced garlic and quickly pour in chicken broth, whisking thoroughly to integrate and dissolve any browned bits from the pot’s bottom.
- Incorporate heavy cream, frozen corn, smoked ham, diced potatoes, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Allow the chowder to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes become tender and the soup naturally thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Crumble reserved bacon on top as a final garnish before serving hot.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and ensure it’s cooked until perfectly crisp to provide a delightful textural contrast in the chowder.
- Use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for a creamy texture that holds shape without becoming mushy during simmering.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lighter, lactose-free version that maintains rich consistency.
- Adjust cayenne pepper carefully; start with a small amount and gradually increase to control heat level without overwhelming the chowder’s delicate flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg