Few things are thought to be more midwestern than fresh sweet corn. This recipe, lovingly dubbed “Cowcatcher Corn”, has been a local favorite in the mid-west since the days of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (The MKT or the Katy). It is named after the cowcatcher, a device mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise damage or derail the train. Like the cowcatcher, this corn chowder will cut right through any cold and add warmth to even the coldest of days.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of thick-cut bacon
- 1 large onion
- 1 chopped medium green pepper
- 2 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 to 5 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels removed from the cobs (about 3 cups)
- 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Dash of hot sauce
Directions
Step 1
In a saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and crumble; reserve drippings.
Step 2
Sauté onion and green pepper in drippings until tender.
Step 3
In a large crockpot (or Dutch oven for more authentic taste), mix the bacon, sautéed onion and green pepper, chopped tomatoes, sweet corn, cheddar cheese soup, salt, pepper, and dash of hot sauce. Cook on medium for 4-6 hours.
Optional skillet instead of crockpot:
Cook bacon until crisp, remove and reserve drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside. Sauté onion and green pepper in drippings until tender. Add tomatoes, soup, and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer. Stir in corn and return to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer and stir occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4
Once cooked, let stand 5 minutes, garnish with bacon, and serve.
What’s the difference between corn soup and corn chowder?
The primary difference between corn soup and corn chowder comes down to the consistency. Corn soups are usually thin and light, while corn chowder is known for being rich, thick, and creamy. Additionally, some corn chowder recipes will include meat, seafood, or vegetables such as potatoes.
How do you thicken corn chowder?
To thicken your chowder, simply add a few tablespoons of cornstarch. Alternatively, you can use a roux, or add cornflower.
Watery corn chowder is the result of a few common mistakes, such as leaving out the broth from the can of corn, using too much tock, overcooking the corn, or surprisingly from microwaving the bacon (bacon that is extra greasy will result in uneven cooking and add a foul taste to the chowder).
What’s good served with corn chowder?
Corn chowder is delicious on its own, but there are several dishes that can serve as a perfect side to this wonderful dish. To add variety, try serving your corn chowder with:
- Grilled cheese sandwich
- BLT sandwich
- Dinner rolls
- Smoked sausage
- Grilled salmon
- Salad
- Ham and cheese
- Quiche
- Steamed veggies
- Loaded cornbread
- Jalapeno poppers
- Quesadillas
- Shrimp Tacos
- Apple crisp with ice cream
