Sweet Corn And Truffle Chowder Recipes

SWEET CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 4-quart pot until shimmering. Add the onion and saute until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the corn, potatoes, sage and chile pepper flakes; saute for 1 minute. Season with salt. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 5 minutes.
• Carefully pour half the mixture into a blender and puree until smooth-remember the soup is hot, so be careful. Stir the pureed mixture back into the pot with the remaining soup. Taste the soup and add more salt, if desired. Ladle into bowls, garnish with a few chile flakes and serve hot.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the kernels off the cob (see Cook's Note); reserve the kernels for a later use.
• Using the side of a spoon or a butter knife, scrape down the sides of the cobs into a deep stockpot to release the "milk" and loosen any bits of corn. Add 8 cups water to the pot, along with the salt, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaf and onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and let the broth cook for 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Pour the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out the vegetables and bits of corn (a pot lined with cheesecloth works well too). The broth is now ready to use as a base for soups, stews and sauces. If not using immediately, transfer to glass jars and let cool completely. Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 1week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

ROASTED SWEET CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Put the corn on the grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning as needed to evenly brown. Remove the corn from the grill and when cool enough to handle, then put corn, stem down in a large bowl and with a sharp knife, remove the kernels, set aside.
• Put the corn cobs into a large stock pot, add the water, chicken stock, salt, pepper, garlic, peppers, cilantro stems, shallots and celery. Put the pot over high heat and bring it to a strong boil. Cook for 45 minutes, then strain the solids. Cool.
• In a medium saucepan, cover the diced potatoes with 3 cups of the cooled stock and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook until fork tender, about 15 minutes. then remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, add the 4 tablespoons of butter, and once melted, add the diced onions, half of the corn kernels and the peppers. Saute until a golden fond starts to form on bottom of pan, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more, stirring frequently. Stir in 3 cups of the stock and simmer for 30 minutes. Cool the mixture for about 5 minutes, then carefully add it to a blender and puree.
• Wipe the stock pot clean, put it over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook until crisp, then drain on a paper towel lined plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the bacon fat, along with the remaining corn. Season with the salt and pepper and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the stock and potatoes and combine well. Stir in the heavy cream, add the corn puree mixture. Heat through and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
• Serve garnished with the cilantro and a dollop of the Chipotle Cream and Spicy Saltines.
• In a small glass bowl, add the cream and beat with an electric mixer until stiff, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chipotle, salt and pepper, to taste, zest and lime juice beat until incorporated. Add the cilantro and season with salt, if necessary. Refrigerate covered until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Fit a baking sheet with a rack.
• Combine all of the spices in a small bowl and mix well. In a separate small bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the spices and beat until incorporated.
• Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture gently onto each cracker and set them on the rack in the baking sheet. Once all are done, bake for 5 minutes. Remove and cool. Store in an air tight container.