Fresh Corn Chowder

Recipe by: Nina Simonds | from A Spoonful of Ginger: Irresistable, Health-Giving Recipes from Asian Kitchens

Cookstr

Course: Hot Appetizer, Side Dish

Total Time: Under 1 Hour

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Inexpensive

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

This lovely soup accentuates the essence of fresh corn and red peppers.

Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

5½ cups low-sodium canned chicken broth
½ cup dry white wine
4 or 5 ears fresh corn
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
3 red peppers
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1½ teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced scallion greens (optional)

Directions

1. Put the chicken broth, white wine, and corn in a heavy non-aluminum pot. Bring the liquid to a boil and skim the surface to remove any impurities. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 25 to 30 minutes. Using a pair of tongs, remove the corn and set aside to cool.

2. While the corn is cooking, preheat the broiler and arrange the peppers on a cookie sheet. Place about 3 inches under the broiler and broil, turning them occasionally, until their skins char and blister on all sides. Remove and place them in a paper bag, closing the bag. After 15 minutes, using a paring knife, peel away the skin. Cut open the peppers; core and seed them.

3. Cut the kernels from the corn cobs (there should be about 3 cups) and puree with some of the chicken broth in a blender or a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the corn puree to the chicken broth and season with salt and pepper. Heat until hot over medium heat.

4. In a blender or a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the peppers until smooth and foamy, about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and wine vinegar to taste.

5. When the corn soup is piping hot, ladle it into soup bowls. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the pepper puree on top of each serving. Using the tip of a knife, make points at equal intervals drawing out points like a star. Sprinkle the top with the scallion greens, if using them, and serve.