Yield: At least 8 servings

Cheesy Fresh Corn Chowder with Ham, Potatoes & Cabbage

Cheesy Fresh Corn Chowder with Ham, Potatoes & Cabbage

Ingredients

  • 1 stick (8 Tbl.) salted butter
  • 1 large onion (or 3 shallots), diced
  • 1 large rib celery, thinly sliced or chopped
  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups diced fully-cooked ham
  • 2 large cloves finely minced garlic
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (rounded) Tbl. Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
  • 1 1/4 tsp. course ground black pepper
  • 3 peeled and diced medium-sized Russet potatoes (or 2 unpeeled Red or Yukon Gold potatoes)
  • 4 cups chopped cabbage
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 4 cups fresh corn cut from the cob (6 medium-sized ears), even more if you like
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 3 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
  • crisp-cooked crumbled bacon, snipped green onions, fresh cracked black pepper, and chopped fresh parsley to garnish if desired

Instructions

  • In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté onions (or shallots), celery, and ham for about 8 minutes or until vegetables are translucent, and ham is lightly browned. (*Lower heat as meat starts to brown so you don't scorch it). Add garlic and sauté one more minute.
  • Add chicken broth, chicken base, potatoes, cabbage, pepper, and bay leaf.
  • Bring to a boil, covered, reduce heat to low, and simmer until potatoes are almost tender, stirring occasionally. (About 6 minutes.) Add corn and continue to simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are nice and tender, and corn still has a nice fresh pop. Just 2 minutes more.
  • Add heavy cream whisked together with flour in a large measuring pitcher, and add to pot. Bring back to just a LOW boil, reduce heat, and low simmer for 5 minutes, gently stirring every so often.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cheese, a little at a time, until melted. Add more salt to taste. (I added a 1/4 tsp. regular table salt, and that was perfect for us.)
  • Cover, and set aside to rest for 15 - 20 minutes to heat through and rest a bit before serving.
  • Garnish bowls with whatever you'd like, such as crisp-cooked crumbled bacon, snipped green onions, fresh cracked black pepper, and a sprig (or finely chopped) fresh parsley. Enjoy!