Barefoot Bloggers - Cheddar Corn Chowder

This week's Barefoot Blogger selection is Cheddar Corn Chowder and was chosen by....wait for it.....drumroll, please.......yes, ME, ME, ME!!! Thank you, thank you.

Can you tell that I need more to do around here?

So I chose Ina's Corn Chowder recipe. I think it's a perfect Fall soup and I've made it several times. I love the combination of the corn, potatoes, white cheddar and BACON!!! And it's one of those soups that just get better every day. Plus it freezes well. This is one of the things I used to make for Mr. B to keep in the freezer in Michigan.

This recipe makes a TON of soup, so if you're not interested in feeding an army or freezing it, I'd recommend halving it.

Here it is:

Cheddar Corn Chowder

Copyright, 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All rights reserved

Ingredients:

8 ounces bacon, chopped
1/4 cup good olive oil
6 cups chopped yellow onions (4 large onions)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
12 cups chicken stock
6 cups medium-diced white boiling potatoes, unpeeled (2 pounds)
10 cups corn kernels, fresh (10 ears) or frozen (3 pounds)
2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon and olive oil until the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and butter to the fat, and cook for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.

Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob and blanch them for 3 minutes in boiling salted water. Drain. (If using frozen corn you can skip this step.) Add the corn to the soup, then add the half-and-half and cheddar. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a garnish of bacon.

Thanks to all of the Bloggers that cooked along with me this week. I hope you enjoyed the Chowder!!