Chef Jack's Corn Chowder

• 1  cup  (2 sticks) butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small carrot, finely diced
• 1 small celery stalk, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2  cup  all-purpose flour
• 3  cup  white corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 3  cup  chicken stock
• 2  cup  half-and-half
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• Salt and pepper

Melt 1 stick of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned; set aside to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, combine the corn and chicken stock in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the boiling stock with the corn (a little at a time) into the skillet with the roux, whisking briskly so it doesn't lump. Return the skillet to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick. In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Just before serving, cut the remaining stick of butter into large chunks. Add it to enrich the soup, stirring until the butter melts.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Ease of preparation: Easy

L&S Too, Pg. 25

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen