On a Frozen Day What Keeps You Warm?

Before I came back to France my sister in law, Diane, had us over for dinner. As soon as we walked in I could smell something good.

Diane had made a corn potato chowder. Luckily for me Diane is a vegetarian too, so I never have to second guess what she puts in her cooking. Luckier still Diane is a no fuss, no recipe cook. I guess when you have four children, a husband, a house, a dog, two cats, and a business to run you know how to create magic. Diane always has a ready smile and a trick up her sleeve. 

When I asked her for her recipe she rolled her eyes as to say, "Yeah right." I told her I didn't need exacts, but what was in the pot.

Fill the pot half full of peeled and cut in half potatoes.

Add corn ( fresh, frozen or canned) about two cups.

Dice one red pepper (color!), one onion and two celery stems, toss them in to the soup pot.

Salt and pepper to taste,

Barely cover the vegetables with milk (I used half milk and half water) bring to a boil, simmer until the potatoes are cooked.

(I added a splash of white wine, or maybe my glassed tipped over? Either way it wasn't part of what Diane told me to do… but it doesn't matter, cooking is about experiment with taste and flavor. And as Annie says, "When you use fresh food, you cannot go wrong. The other day I started to make a ratatouille and ended up making soup with it." 

When the potatoes are cooked take a smasher and smash them, this will make the soup creamy.

Let sit for fifteen minutes before serving. 

After a frozen morning at the brocante Diane's soup hit the spot! Thanks Sista!

(What will you add to it? If I ate bacon I imagine that would be mighty fine.)

 

 

 

 



Comments

26 responses to “On a Frozen Day What Keeps You Warm?”

  1. Perhaps adding andouille sausage (but decreasing amount of salt added to pot)? Diane’s chowder sounds yummy!

  2. Sounds tasty and easy to make.
    A freshly brewed tea (leaf tea not tea bags) is not bad for warming up too.

  3. I love to make this. I add a can of beer while the veggies are cooking, and at the end stir in grated extra-sharp cheddar just till it melts!

  4. You’re on to something KB. Searching now to see if I have the fixings for that!

  5. Just saw yesterday’ post of Diogene + D’s home. Poured over it 3 times. Truly beautiful + inspiring.
    Thanks for that one.

  6. Yes, a little bacon would be perfect in this recipe. Thanks!

  7. I would add a little butter and low fat cream cheese for richness. Oh, mushrooms too! (The low fat cream cheese is nasty stuff to eat on a bagel, but it adds a nice rich taste to soups and casseroles.) Thanks for the recipe Corey and Diane!

  8. Hey Aunt Coco! Next time you come you should write about my dad’s cooking!

  9. What do you add the beer to? You or the pot?

  10. I read the post heading and instantly thought about my wonderful wooley warm scarf, gloves and hat. The scarf wraps around twice thanks to it’s nearly 6 foot stretch. Each of the items has huge polka dots – what’s not to love there – numerous large tufted wool balls hang from the scarf ends, the gloves, and one tops off the hat. I have to send you a picture.
    I recently discovered you tho I cannot remember how. So Hi! And how lucky am I.

  11. I’ve made a very similar corn chowder although I don’t use potatoes, just corn. I usually add chopped prawns or shrimp. I use chicken broth for the base and add some half and half at the end and use an immersion blender or a food processor. The combination of the corn, red peppers and shrimp is wonderful and I top each serving with sour cream.

  12. I should have added that the base is blended first then reheated with the red peppers and shrimp.

  13. OK that really made me laugh.

  14. This sounds delicious – and perfect for a cold day! I will have to try making it. What would I add? Cilantro perhaps.

  15. After reading this post, I’m looking forward to soup weather. Today’s temperature is 81. When the temp does drop, this will be the first soup of the season for me. I think I’ll garnish with chives.
    As for yesterday’s post, well, I could walk straight through those pics, into Diogenes & D’s home and be right at home. Stunning! When I visit my son in LA this month, I will have him take me out for a latte and margarita. Thanks for the recommendations, Corey.

  16. Paula S In New Mexico

    I would add chopped green chili and plenty of cheese and maybe a dash of chipotle powder.

  17. The soup. Of course there’s nothing stopping you from using a second can or bottle of beer as you see fit.

  18. I agree! Yum!

  19. I love the new photo of you, Corey, Quel charme!
    Thanks for the recipe, sounds yummy!

  20. Love hot soup on a cold winter’s day! This sounds delicious.

  21. I will have to share this with my daughter Mollie, 13 and budding cook and baker, who loves soup and she would love this! Thanks for sharing!

  22. Hmmm going to make it tonight! thanks + raining in SCA xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

  23. P.S. I suppose if you only have one beer left, this rises to the level of a moral dilemma?

  24. Ah! Corn chowder is on my menu today! 🙂 Yum.

  25. I used to make a similar soup, used chicken or veg stock and added cream towards the end. Sweetcorn chowder, yummy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *