Ham and Corn Chowder
My mother is an excellent cook who rarely follows a recipe exactly. My two sisters and I do the same thing, adding something here, omitting something there. With this soup, I sometimes leave out the bacon and butter, and have used canned corn and creamed corn with good results. We like to eat this soup with big soft hot pretzels instead of crackers.
My mother is an excellent cook who rarely follows a recipe exactly. My two sisters and I do the same thing, adding something here, omitting something there. With this soup, I sometimes leave out the bacon and butter, and have used canned corn and creamed corn with good results. We like to eat this soup with big soft hot pretzels instead of crackers.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
- 1/2 cup diced green pepper
- 4 cups whole milk divided
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 8 pieces
- 3 cups cubed peeled potatoes (about 3 medium)
- 4 cups fresh or frozen whole kernel corn divided
- 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce optional
- Carbohydrate 0.689578744552012 g
- Cholesterol 283.320625002616 mg
- Fat 58.1313863463395 g
- Fiber 0.0701620799969185 g
- Protein 68.912854567318 g
- Saturated Fat 17.548317069343 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -12 servings (3 quarts). (386g)
- Sodium 281.219516849958 mg
- Sugar 0.619416664555093 g
- Trans Fat 4.92068644417166 g
- Calories 820 calories
Step-by-step
- In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp.
- Remove bacon to paper towel to drain, reserving 1/4 cup drippings in pan.
- Sauté the onion, celery and green pepper in drippings for 5 minutes.
- Add potatoes and broth.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Place 1/2 cup milk and 2 cups corn in a blender; cover and process until pureed.
- Pour into saucepan.
- Add ham and remaining corn; simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the butter, parsley, salt, pepper, pepper sauce if desired and remaining milk; heat through.
- Garnish with bacon.
My Mom's Ham and Corn Chowder: A Family Favorite
This Ham and Corn Chowder recipe isn't just a recipe; it's a story of family, flexibility, and delicious, heartwarming food. It's a testament to the beauty of adapting recipes to your own taste and the joy of sharing a meal together. My mom, a wonderful cook, never precisely followed a recipe; she always added a pinch of this, a dash of that, based on her intuition and what she had on hand. This carefree approach to cooking is something that my sisters and I inherited, and it’s something I cherish.
This chowder is a perfect example. It’s a hearty, comforting soup, perfect for a chilly evening or a cozy family gathering. The creamy texture, the savory ham, and the sweetness of the corn all come together in a symphony of flavors. We often adjust the recipe based on our moods and what’s available in the pantry. Sometimes we skip the bacon and butter, opting for a lighter version. Other times, we use canned corn or even a mix of canned and fresh, depending on what’s readily accessible. It’s all about adapting to the situation, and that’s perfectly fine. What's most important is that the final result is flavorful, satisfying, and brings joy to those who eat it. This soup is more than just a meal; it's a symbol of our family traditions and the fun we share while preparing it together.
The best part? We love to serve it with big, soft, warm pretzels instead of crackers. The salty pretzels perfectly complement the creamy, savory soup, creating a textural and flavor contrast that’s hard to resist. It's a simple addition, but it elevates the entire eating experience. This soup is incredibly versatile; it can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it ideal for meal prepping or busy weeknights. It also freezes well, meaning you can enjoy a taste of home whenever you want. While the precise measurements may vary from time to time, the core elements of this chowder always remain: the rich broth, the tender potatoes, the succulent ham, and the sweet corn, all blended to create a truly unforgettable experience.
More than just a recipe, it's a reminder of the comfort and joy found in family cooking, and the delicious results that can arise when we embrace flexibility and a little bit of improvisation. So gather your ingredients, grab your family, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of heartwarming goodness – my mom’s Ham and Corn Chowder. You might just discover your own new family favorite.
The beauty of this soup lies not only in its deliciousness but in its adaptability. This is a recipe to be experimented with. Try adding different herbs and spices, playing around with the types of corn, or experimenting with alternative meats like smoked turkey or chicken. The possibilities are endless, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. The most important ingredient in any recipe? Love. And this recipe is brimming with it.
So, whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, I encourage you to try my mom's Ham and Corn Chowder. It's a recipe that's as much about the process as it is about the end result. It’s about creating memories, sharing laughter, and enjoying good food in good company. This isn't simply a recipe; it's a culinary tradition that has been passed down through generations, and I'm thrilled to share it with you. Give it a try, and let me know how you adapt it to make it your own.
