Since the leaves are fluttering to the earth and the wind has taken on a familiar chill, it's definitely time to start putting together hearty soups, stews, and chilis. But those delicious dishes often benefit from hours of slow simmering, even if we don't have the time to babysit them on the stove. So pull out your slow cooker and get ready to enjoy a bevy of seemingly quick meals in your bowl. Over the next few weeks, look forward to a sprinkling of these hearty meals specifically designed to take advantage of your slow cooker and free you up to tackle your day and look forward to a warm bowl of autumn's finest comfort food when it reaches the end.
First up, we're looking at corn chowder. This creamy treat is chock full of the season's sweet corn. But it doesn't stop there. Crispy bacon, golden onions, and creamy swirls of cream cheese all come together to give it a fantastic texture and flavor that will have you going for seconds and more:
Many corn chowders use diced potatoes as well, but I opted to leave them out in order to focus on the flavors brought to the bowl by the corn (fresh, if you can manage), bacon, onion, and cream cheese. I think adding potato just dilutes them and can leave the texture a bit grainy. Save the taters for stew! In the meantime, find your favorite soup bowl and settle in for a comforting dinner that will warm you while reminding you of the rest toasty days of summer.
Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced finely
- 1 small green pepper, diced finely
- 2 c. corn kernels (frozen or from 4-5 ears of corn)
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can creamed corn
- 1 quart chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 ounces (1/2 block) cream cheese
- Salt, to taste
In a skillet, fry the bacon, onion, and pepper together until the bacon is crisp and the onion is softened and slightly golden. Transfer them to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, except the salt, to the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and cook for 4-6 hours on LOW. Stir the soup well and adjust the seasonings as needed before serving.
- Yields: 6-8 servings
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes hands-on prep plus 4-6 hours slow cooking time