Em’s Potato-Corn Chowder

Ingredients

3 large potatoes
4 cups chicken broth – divided use
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, sliced wide
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 small can (11oz) whole kernel corn – divided use

Optional for garnishAdditional shredded cheese
Fresh green onions or chives
Crumbled bacon bits

Directions

Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes. Boil in 3 cups of chicken broth until the potatoes are fork tender Drain the potatoes reserving the broth (you’ll probably have about 1 1/2 – 2 cups left). Set both aside.

In a large pot pour the vegetable oil and saute the onion and garlic until tender. Stir in the chicken broth reserved from cooking the potatoes, add the flour, salt, basil and pepper. Mix very well. Gradually add another cup of chicken broth, then the 1/4 cup shredded cheese and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, add the cornstarch and stir… the cornstarch will be lumpy and that’s okay… use an immersion blender to mix everything really really well. Add the milk, cream, half of the corn and half of the potatoes. Use the immersion blender again just for a short amount of time – about 10 seconds. Add the remaining corn and potatoes and heat through but do not bring to a boil.

Garnish with shredded cheese, green onions, chives and bacon bits if desired.

Credit: http://www.therepressedpastrychef.com/.

Hard Rock Cafe's Baked Potato Soup!

3 good sized potatoes (baked and cut into pieces)

1/2 a package of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup onions (I leave out and dump in some dried onion flakes)
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup half and half
1/8 cup fresh parsley (I just dump some dried parsley in)
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4-3/4 tsp red pepper (add only if you want more heat!!)
1/2 cup cheese

Chop bacon and reserve grease (or don't reserve grease and use vegetable oil in place). Heat grease and cook onions in bacon drippings (or oil) over medium high heat until transparent, about 3 minutes. Add flour and stir about 3-5 minutes, until mixture starts to turn golden brown. Add chicken stock gradually, whisking to prevent lumps. Whisk until liquid thickens. Reduce heat to simmer and add cream, potatoes, chopped bacon, parsley, garlic powder, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes; do not allow to boil. Add grated cheese and heat until cheese melts smoothly. Garnish each serving with chopped bacon and cheese.
*This recipe makes 4 servings.