Kielbasa Corn Chowder
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Servings: 6
A creamy chowder with kielbasa sausage and corn!
ingredients
4 ounces bacon, diced (optional)
1 (14-16 ounce) ring kielbasa sausage, sliced or diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
1/4 cup flour (gluten-free for gluten-free)
6 cups chicken broth (link)
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
2 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
salt and pepper to taste
directions
Cook the bacon in a large sauce pan over medium heat, until cooked through, before setting aside, reserving the bacon grease in the pan.
Add the kielbasa sausage and cook until lightly golden brown, before setting aside.
Melt the butter in the same pan, add the onion, carrots , and celery and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the garlic, thyme, and paprika and mix.
Sprinkle the flour in, mix and cook for a minute.
Add 1/2 cup of the broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon as the broth sizzles.
Add the remaining broth and the potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Add the cream and corn.
Add the bacon and kielbasa before seasoning with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
Note: If you omit the bacon, use 2 tablespoons oil instead of the bacon grease to cook the kielbasa in.
Note: I like to use russet or gold potatoes.
Option: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, along with the garlic.
Option: Add a splash of hot sauce, to taste, at the end.
Option: Add 2 green onions, thinly sliced, at the end.
Option: Replace the heavy/whipping cream with sour cream.
Option: Replace the heavy/whipping cream with 4 ounces cream cheese.
Option: Add 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese), grated, at the end, let it melt into the broth.
Option: Add 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded, at the end, let it melt into the broth.
