Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Chipotle Sweet Potato Corn Chowder

 
Well, it looks like summer is officially over, at least in my house.  The pool is closed, the days and especially the nights are already a bit cooler, I've got one that's started back to school, with another going next Monday, and I can't say I'm really going to miss it.  Living in Virginia, we get four full seasons, which I love and can't imagine living without, but what I could live without is the nasty, oppressive humidity (although you never lack an excuse to eat Rita's Ice!).

So bring on fall in all it's colorful glory and the filling, fantastic food that comes with it!  To kick off my Welcome to Fall party, I came up with a hearty, spicy chowder.  I was watching a Bobby Flay Showdown where they made some sort of Shellfish Sweet Potato Corn Chowder, but since they decided to submit their version of Clam Chowder for judging instead, the recipe didn't end up on FoodNetwork... I ended up spending about two hours on the net trying to find something similar and came up empty, so I was forced to wing it.  I am SO happy with the outcome, this chowder is sweet and hearty, with just the right amount of kick, enough to just give you the sniffles without burning you up.

Chipotle Sweet Potato Corn Chowder

2-4 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, finely chopped
2-3 cups Corn (fresh off the cob or frozen)
1 cup Leeks, sliced
1 large Vidalia or other Sweet Onion, chopped
5 Sweet Potatoes, roasted and cubed
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 Tbs Thyme
2 Tbs Margoram
2 boxes Chicken Stock (32oz each)
8-10 slices of Bacon

1.  Wrap sweet potatoes in tin foil, do not pierce and roast in the oven for about 45 minutes to an hour at 375 degrees.  Once soft, peel and cube.  * Some of these will get smashed and some will not, so cube to your desired size.

2.  If using fresh corn on the cob, your cobs can be used to produce a broth.  Place in a bowl with the heavy cream to infuse the corn flavor while you're cooking the chowder, discard cobs before adding the cream to the pot.

3.  Fry bacon in a dutch oven or other large heavy bottomed pot, once crispy, remove and set aside leaving the bacon fat in your pot.  

4.  Cook leeks, onion, corn, thyme and marjoram in the bacon fat, stirring constantly until tender.  

5.  Add cubed sweet potatoes, 1-1 1/2 boxes of chicken stock, and Chipotle peppers, simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.  Using an immersion blender, blend 1/2-1/3 of the soup, you want to leave some of the corn and potato cubes whole.  At this point, you can add more chicken stock if needed, keeping in mind that you will still be adding in 1 1/2 cups heavy cream.

6.  Simmer chowder for another 10 minutes, add heavy cream (minus corn cobs) and combine well.  If your chowder seems too thick, add more chicken stock and/or water to thin until you reach the desired consistency. Top with crumbled bacon.

Tips: Serve with corn chips or a nice crusty french loaf.


Hearty Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder on Foodista Print this post

25 comments:

*Mom's Best Bets said...

looks delicious...i just made a lentil soup on my blog...I guess Autumn is soup time:)
http://www.momsbestbets.blogspot.com

Rachel J said...

Oh Everyday Mama, can you adopt me?? I NEED to eat this chowder. :D

Angela [YourEverydayMama] said...

Patrice, the soup looks awesome!

Rachel, you're not that far away, I'll let you know next time I make it ;)

Jennifer said...

this sounds SO amazing!!! From the sweet potatoes to the kick with the chilies! YUM!

Raaga said...

I love the sound and look of this. I must find out if there's a substitute ingredient for the chipotle. :)

Sara @ Our Best Bites said...

I love corn chowder, but I've never thought of adding chipotle to it- great idea!

lululu said...

angela, your soup looks so delicious and hearty!
your kids are lucky!

Table Talk said...

Sweet potatoes and chipotles---will have to make it before the fresh corn is gone!

Carli said...

This looks awesome! SO in the mood for Fall and everything that comes with it!

Love your blog...linking to it from mine!

Thanks,

Carli
www.velveetaaintfood.blogspot.com

Angela [YourEverydayMama] said...

The chipotle's are perfect in here...Raaga, not sure of a good substitute, if you're not wanting the heat, just leave it out and it would still be great.

I think the fresh corn is best, but I get frozen wouldn't be half bad either.

Love your blog Carli... actually I already follow a bunch of you guys ;)

Rosemary and the goat said...

This sounds like a wonderful soup. I think the combination of the corn adn sweet potatoes sounds delicious.

CJ Carter said...

I am such a huge fan of soups and chowders! I can not wait to try this one out!!!

Mango said...

I'm sooo going to make this soup this weekend!

Jessie said...

great chowder! I made something very similar to this recently too!

Pam said...

What a great combination of flavors for a soup. It looks and sounds delicious.

kellypea said...

We would love this right down to licking our bowls. What a great combo of flavors!

Karine said...

This looks to be a great way to enjoy corn! thanks for sharing :)

cookies and cups said...

This sounds soo good! Totally something we will try! Really interesting combo of ingredients that I would have never thought to put together, but I imagine is really really good!!!!

AndreaQ said...

this sounds fantastic! Love Chipotle!

Anonymous said...

Has anyone actually MADE this chowder? (These comments are not especially helpful.)

Juli P said...

I actually have made this and it is TERRIFIC!!!! I made a big pot and then brought it for lunch all week. I loved it!

Juli P said...

Oh and the first time I made it, I used fresh corn. The second time, I used Trader Joe's Roasted Corn (frozen), it was very good with that too!

Unknown said...

Sweet potato is a highly nutritious and an alternative for food for their valuable contents of carbohydrate, protein and carotene, which are necessary for normal development and even for the sexual development too, believe it or not. Sweet potato is really helpful for welfare and our body.

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Viagra Generico said...

It looks so good!! Thanks for sharing!!

Recovering Sociopath said...

Could you give a weight equivalent for the potatoes? Sweet potatoes come in a wide range of sizes, so "five" could be barely present or overwhelm the soup.

Also, the recipe doesn't call for any salt. Is that correct?