Corn and Potato Chowder

There's something about brisk autumn air that makes chowders and hearty soups so appealing.  Easy, one pot recipes are awesome too, especially when a certain 19-month old insists on you picking her up every time you're at the stove! :)

So, I know this isn't a recipe/food blog, but I had to share this recipe because it was so good and it was completely vegetarian!  Even so, it was hearty enough that my non-veggie hubs loved it and had seconds (OK, I did too!)

This recipe was originally from the Disney Family Fun page, but I've made some modifications.  I'll star the changes I've made:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil*
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 ribs celery, finely chopped*
• 5 1/2 cups vegetable stock*
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 2 large all-purpose potato, peeled and diced*
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced*
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Black pepper, to taste

In general, I doubled the potatoes and celery, added a sweet potato for color, and substituted veggie stock for chicken stock. I'm always adding more veggies to recipes! :)  I'm sure you meaties out there would love to add bacon to this recipe, but it definitely doesn't need it!

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or medium soup pot.
2. Stir in the onion and celery.
3. Partially cover the pan and cook the vegetables over moderate heat for 9 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the veggie stock, corn, potato, and salt and bring the mixture to a low boil.
5. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for about 7 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the cream and flour.
7. Stir the mixture into the soup with the pepper.
8. Bring the soup back to a low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes.

Altogether, this took me about 40 minute to prepare.  Super easy, very satisfying, and definitely delicious!  Garnish with chopped dill or parsely, I totally forgot to do this! Serve with rolls or bread and you have yourself a meal!

Of course, this recipe was found via Pinterest, my new best friend in the kitchen!

Source: familyfun.go.com via Melissa on Pinterest