Creamy Corn Chowder

As a mom, it can be hard to come up with a meal each and every day. The way I do it, I go off of what I am craving or what sounds good. Doing it this way, makes it more fun for me in the kitchen. I like to crank my music up, really loud, and just let my hands work. It is my time to stop thinking about everything else going, on and just cook. It is relaxing for me. In fact, cooking for people, and trying new recipes, is one of the things in life that gives me true joy. Being able to cook and truly enjoy it, is a gift that God has given me, a gift that keeps on giving.

Tonight, I made my own version of corn chowder. It is one of my favorites from panera bread. I have been slightly nervous to take on this challenge. When it comes to certain things, I am very picky, and the texture had to be just right. I wanted it to be the perfect creaminess. So this is what I did.

First, I chopped up 6 slices of bacon, and put it in a preheated pot. While it is browning, I chop up one yellow onion, two carrots, two celery sticks, and slice three cloves of garlic. When the bacon became brown, I took it out, and put it in a bowl to set it aside. Leaving the bacon grease in the pan I added the carrots and onions to the oil. Then, I began to chop up four large potatoes. When the carrots became tender and the onion almost clear, I added the celery and garlic. After allowing it to sauté for approximately five minutes, I add the chopped potatoes and cook them for 8 minutes. Then, I add three cups of chicken broth, three cans of creamed corn, and bring it to a boil. I salt and pepper the soup to taste, and add a dash of red pepper. As soon as the potatoes become tender, I lower the heat to a simmer. When the soup stops boiling, I added one cup of cheddar cheese, and eight ounces of cream cheese. As the cheese melted the soup became creamy and quite delicious.

I was so happy with the result, I ate two bowls! I served it with the bacon bits on top, and french bread (toasted with garlic butter)on the side. It was so good! the only thing that would have made it better would to serve it in a bread bowl. Be blessed my friends, and don't be fearful of taking on a challenge.