Pumpkin Corn Chowder

It's been so busy lately, but today I decided to clear my schedule so I could get some cooking and blogging done. I've got a few recipes up my sleeve that I want to share in the next few weeks. I know we're getting right into the busy holiday season now, but it's the best time to share new recipes with family and friends. This past weekend we were busy Christmas shopping and pulling out the decorations, which meant we ate out alot. I was so glad to make this homecooked meal today, I hate feeling all garbage-y from eating out too much. This dish really made my tummy feel cozy. I came up with the recipe last fall and it was an instant hit. I hope you like it too.

Pumpkin Corn Chowder

Ingredients

1 medium onion diced

6 slices of bacon chopped

10 fresh sage leaves (thinly sliced)

4 tbsp butter

4 tbsp flour

2 cups whole milk

1300 ml chicken stock

1 can cream-style corn

1 can pure pumpkin

1 tsp salt

4 small-medium potatos diced

cracked pepper to taste

The fresh sage smells wonderful!

Dice your onion and bacon

 Saute the onion and bacon in 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of oil

I like my bacon crispy, so I saute my onions so they are carmelized and the bacon is a bit crispy. At this point you can add your thinly sliced sage. It will crisp up with the onion and bacon. 

In a seperate saucepan melt your butter on medium heat. Once it is melted add the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Then, slowly add the milk while continuously whisking.

Keep whisking until it starts gently bubbling. Then slowly add the broth while whisking. The key to a nice smooth chowder is to keep whisking! We don't want any clumps!

Add the 1 tsp salt, onion and bacon, pumpkin, and corn to the broth mixture. Mix it up well. This is where the flavors start coming together. 

Toss in the potatos. I like to dice my potatos a bit smaller, so they are bit sized. Everything else in the chowder is quite small, so a big chunky potato would throw it off, but you can make it to your personal preference.

Simmer the chowder on low heat for 1 hour. Make sure to stir it occasionally. Garnish with fresh sage and serve with fresh bread or a cheesy grilled cheese sandwich. We had it with cheese toast….what can I say, I ran out of time. Off to hockey practice we went. 

Thanks to my adorable little man Emmett for cooperating while mommy made dinner and blogged about it!

p.s with your scrap sage twigs and wilted leaves you can make a wonderful all natural air freshener. In a small saucepan add 1/2 cup water, throw in sage pieces, a couple slices of lemon, a squeeze or two of lemon juice. Simmer on lowest setting for a fresh and clean scent.


Once again, please bear with me while I try and get the camera to do what I want it to. (Doesn't always happen :D )


Happy cooking….enjoy!