Country Chef Reader

Chef Tim Wilkins of Rebecca's Restaurant at The Lodge in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, shared his recipe for Roasted Corn & Chipotle Pepper Chowder when I interviewed him for my cookbook, Pork Chops & Applesauce. Since then this unique roasted corn and smoky chipotle chowder has become a classic holiday meal for us. I think you'll agree this recipe is a keeper! Try it and let me know what you think…

Chef Tim’s Roasted Corn &
Chipotle Pepper Chowder
1 quart chicken broth
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped fine
3/4 cup yellow onion, diced
1 cup roasted corn, grill fresh corn-on-the cob, or roast under a broiler 1 1/4 cups frozen corn, thawed and well drained
1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers canned in adobe sauce, finely minced
3/4 cup celery, diced
1 1/2 cups potatoes, peeled, cooked and chopped
2 cups cream
Bacon crumbles and/or parsley garnish, if desired

Simmer garlic, onion, corn, chipotle peppers, and celery in broth for about 10 minutes, or until celery and onions begin to soften. Add potatoes and allow to heat through. Remove from the burner and stir in cream; heat again but do not boil. Garnish with bacon crumbles and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve piping hot with crusty French bread. Yield: 6 servings

WARNING LABEL: Chef Tim’s Roasted Corn & Chipotle Pepper Chowder is delicious and hearty, but be warned that Chipotle peppers are very, very hot! Add peppers sparsely beginning with just 1 level teaspoon of minced Chipotle peppers in adobe sauce and then add more (1 teaspoon at a time) to taste.

For more information about The Lodge and Rebecca’s Restaurant at Cloudcroft, New Mexico, visit them at http://www.thelodgeresort.com/, “It’s charmed.”
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Labels: adobe sauce, chipotle chowder, chipotle pepper, Cloudcroft New Mexico, Rebecca's Restaurant, roasted corn