Thursday, January 28, 2016

Snowed In? Eat This!

Wow, it's been a while since I last blogged... And a LOT has happened! So I'll have to catch up on blog posts to share all the madness with you. For now, soup's on!

Our area got hit up with a blizzard (winter storm Jonas, Snowzilla, Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon Part 2, SnowtoriousBIG...) and eating the same old things while using every dish in the house got old really fast. So I decided to throw something together in the slow cooker. And it was DELICIOUS!

Potato Corn Chowder

You'll need:
  • 2-3lbs potatoes (I used 12 small red potatoes) roughly peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1/2 onion (I used vidalia) diced
  • 1 bulb garlic diced
  • 1 can corn (I used Mexican style corn with peppers) NOTE: I would add more red bell peppers next  time I make this.
  • Salt & Pepper (I used around 1 1/2 - 2 tsp salt, 1tsp pepper)
  • 1 box chicken (or vegetable) stock

To thicken: (Read instructions for preparing without this step)
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1/4c flour
  • 2c heavy whipping cream (half & half or milk may also work)
  • 3/4c sour cream 

In your slow cooker, add all of the ingredients from the first list above. Cover and turn on high for 5 hours or low for 7 hours.

During the last 40 minutes, start the thickening agent. In a saute pan, melt butter over medium high heat, being careful not to brown. Once melted, whisk in flour until combined. Slowly add in cream and finally sour cream. It should form a blob-like substance that just slides around the pan. Add to the slow cooker and stir. Allow to cook for the final 30 minutes.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE THICKENING AGENT: If dietary restrictions prevent you from using this step, you can still make this chowder. Remove about 2 cups of potato mixture and blend (or give about 5 bursts with the immersion blender if you have one, directly into the slow cooker. This will make a mashed potato substance that will help thicken it up. Add the mixture back to the slow cooker (if removed). Make it creamy by adding in your cream and/or sour cream during the last 30 minutes.

I served this with Texas garlic toast and sprinkled a little cheddar on top. YUM!

If you make this and enjoyed it, please comment here and share on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! #TheSpencersAdventures ;-)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to join my crazy little girl to warm up in front of the fire!