Spicey Corn Chowder

[meemo]

We got this recipe watching the Neelys cook on tv. Its definitely a keeper.
4 pieces, thick sliced bacon, chopped in little pieces
Cook until crispy. Remove bacon and reserve
1 med. onion chopped very small
1 med red bell pepper chopped very small
salt, fresh ground black people to taste
Add to the bacon fat and cook until soft.
1 small jalapeno pepper, seede and ribs removed, chopped small
3 cloves of garlic chopped small
Cook with the onion and peppers until its fragrant
1/4 cup flour
Sprinkle over the veggies and cook and stir until golden brown
4 cups chicken stock
2 large red potatoes chopped small
Add to the veggies/flour mix and stir until smooth. Cook 10 min until potatoes are done.
1 cup heavy cream
16 oz frozen corn, not canned
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf
Add and let simmer 10 more minutes. Remove the bay leaf and serve with the reserved crumbled bacon

Now..I didnt use the heavy cream. I added a tablespoon of butter to the bacon grease in the beginning. I just used whole milk. I didnt add the cayenne pepper because I wasnt sure if Michael would eat it. I'm goin to add it next time. And next time I'm goin to put another cup of corn in it. I doubled the potatoes too. She made a point to stress using frozen corn instead of canned corn. It sure is good stuff.

[Granny Smith]

I was about to ask you if you thought you could use evaporated milk in place of the heavy cream, but I see you already have it covered.

Do you think it would have been as good with canned corn?

[meemo]

I'm goin to try it one time and see. We prefer frozen corn and I most always have it. But I'm goin to try and see if it changes the taste. I almost used canned milk. It would be good too. I just figured with the bacon grease and butter we didnt need anymore fat. I couldnt tell the difference. I thought it might not be as thick but didnt make a difference.

[Granny Smith]

I don't normally keep frozen corn, which is why I asked. I have several cases of canned, though, because it's been on sale several times lately - 3 or 4 for $1. I couldn't pass that up!

[meemo]

I have some in my stores because I use it in that corn casserole Ms. Paula Deen makes. Thats why I'm goin to try it. I keep dried bell pepper too and I'm goin to try that. What I want to do and am not making sense is to make it from my stored stuff. The fresh stuff is good but we might not always haveit.

[Granny Smith]

Those Food Network chefs always use fresh and that's my main complaint about them! I've even written to FD to tell them that we need recipes that are made for inexpensive foods so we can make them taste good, but not go broke cooking. They responded by putting on more shows that feature restaurant chefs making expensive dishes that use things like fresh salmon, seafood, lamb, and caviar!

[gayla]

My kids ask me all the time Mama why do you watch that you never going to make any of that ... Lol

I love corn chowder another keeper .21