Smoked Bacon Corn Chowder

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 12 slices apple-smoked bacon
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 2 orange bell peppers, seeded, ribbed and finely chopped
• 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
• 4 cups half-and-half
• 4 cups whole milk
• 7 cups corn (fresh or frozen but thawed)
• 1 1/2 red potatoes, washed and cut into 1/3 inch cubes
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaf, chopped

Recipe

• 1 heat a 5 qt pot over moderate heat. add bacon and cook, turning once, until crisp, about 6 minutes. transfer to paper towels to drain. reserve 2 tablespoons fat in pot. coarsely crumble baco and reserve.
• 2 add onion, bell pepper, celery and thyme to pot with bacon fat. cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. add half-and-half, milk, corn and potatoes;.