Fresh Corn Chowder

 From: Joy of Cooking

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 medium celery stalks, diced

6 small ears of corn

4 1/2 cups milk

2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 Tbsp unsalted butter

Place the bacon in a soup pot and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat until it releases all of its fat and is beginning to crisp, 10-15 minutes.

Leaving the bacon in the pan, spoon off all but 2 tablespoons of fat. Add the chopped onion and diced celery, and cook, stirring, until tender and slightly browned, 10-15 minutes.

Remove the kernels from the ears of corn. Reserve the kernels and add the cobs to the soup pot along with the milk and potatoes.

Push the corn cobs into the milk to fully submerge them. Bring the milk to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes. Remove the cobs. Stir in the reserved corn kernels along with the salt and pepper.

Simmer gently until the corn is tender, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove 1 1/2 cups solids from the soup and puree until smooth. Return to the soup and add the butter. Let stand until the butter is melted, then stir. Ladle into warmed bowls.

Verdict: So easy, although it did take a bit more time than I thought it would because I didn't dice the potatoes very fine. A great comfort food!