I like to cook. It’s a creative project I can usually start and complete in an hour or less, and that appeals to me as someone used to undertaken months-long book marathons. Anyway, I tweeted today about a damned delicious chowder I made yesterday and some people asked for the recipe. So here goes.

Jaye’s Delicious as Hell Chowder 

1Tbsp Butter

1/4 LB Bacon Chopped

1/2 C yellow onion

1 shallot

Garlic to taste (in our house it’s a minimum of two cloves)

4 cups diced potatoes (I used Yukon Gold because they’re less starchy, but you can use whatever you prefer)

1 Leek (Sliced, rinsed, and then chopped)

2 C corn kernels (I had two fresh ears, but you can use frozen if you’re a heathen)

1 C Half and Half

2 Tbsp Flour

4 C Chicken Stock

Cayenne Pepper to taste

Thyme to taste

1/4 C Cilantro, chopped

2 Green Onions, chopped

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Make with the magic

Melt the butter in a soup pot or dutch oven and then cook the bacon until crispy. Yeah I know, we’re starting off with lots of fat. I told you this is delicious, right? Fat=flavor. Remove the bacon from the pot and place on paper towels to drain. Using the bacon fat/butter, cook your onions and leeks until the onions are translucent. Add the shallots and garlic. Cook for a minute. Add two tablespoons of flour to this to make a sort of oniony/leeky/shallotty/garlicky roux. Add the potatoes and the chicken stock. Cover that bitch and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Give it a stir every few minutes to remind it who’s boss. Then add the half and half and the corn. Now you season with salt and pepper, thyme and cayenne to your taste. I had some chipotle chili powder so I added that instead of cayenne.  Cook until the corn is cooked through. Serve the soup hot with a sprinkling of delicious bacon, cilantro, green onions and cheese. Prepare to be adored. Note: This is even better on the second day after the flavors have had a chance to meld.

If you don’t want to do the kind of Southwestern spin I did with the chipotle and cilantro, you can skip those and do any fresh herb or spice you prefer. Or, if you hate flavor and life, you can skip those altogether.

Happy cooking!