Mmmm....Soup

Ok, fall is officially here! There is nothing like a good hearty soup on a fall/winter eve. This recipe is from WIlliams Sonoma, and although it is a little more labor intensive due to the corn procedure described, I promise it's worth it! The sweet potatoes give it a surprising twist that make this so much more interesting than your normal corn chowder. And please don't leave out the hot sauce, it really gives this soup an acidic kick that makes it over the top good!








Sweet Potato Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 


5 ears of corn, husks and silk removed
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
1/2 cup diced firm, baked smoked ham
2 1/2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 large sweet potato, about 1 lb., peeled and cut
into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp. hot-pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
Directions:
Holding 1 of the ears of corn by its pointed end and steadying its stalk end on a cutting board, cut down along the ear with a sharp knife to strip off the kernels, turning the ear with each cut. Repeat with 2 of the ears of corn. Put the kernels in a bowl and set aside.

Score the kernels on the remaining 2 ears of corn by running the tip of a sharp knife down the length of the ear. Place each ear in a bowl and, using the back of a knife, scrape down the length of the ear to squeeze out the pulp from the scored kernels. Set the pulp aside.

In a soup pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the ham and cook, stirring once or twice, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl.

Add the onion and bell peppers to the pot, cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the broth, sweet potato and the 1 tsp. salt. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the ham and corn kernels. Cover and cook until the potato is just tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the corn pulp, cream and hot-pepper sauce. Cook just until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Serve hot. Serves 8.

                                                                               enJoy!