Corn Chowder W/fresh Herbs, Potatoes And Smoked Ham

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 sprig fresh tarragon
• 2 (16 ounce) cans whole potatoes, drained
• 2 (16 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 2 canned pimientos, drained and diced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2-2 cups diced smoked ham
• additional chopped parsley (to garnish)

Recipe

• 1 in large (3-quart or so) saucepan,combine broth, onion and carrots.
• 2 tie together bay leaf and fresh herbs to make a bouquet garni.
• 3 add to saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
• 4 remove herbs. remove pan from heat.
• 5 dice canned potatoes *reserving 1 cup. set 1 cup's worth aside.
• 6 put rest of potatoes and 1 can of corn in the blender. blend til smooth, add to saucepan. (*you can also do this in the saucepan instead of the blender with a magic wand hand mixer.).
• 7 return pan to heat (about medium), and add the rest of the potatoes (the 1 cup you reserved), the second can of corn, the half and half and the diced ham.
• 8 bring just to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
• 9 stir in pimientos and parsley.
• 10 season with a little pepper or hot sauce if desired, to taste.
• 11 taste for saltiness, add salt only if needed. *ham can be very salty so be careful adding only a little at a time.
• 12 ladle into bowls and garnish with additional parsley.
• 13 serve with warm crusty bread or fresh baked cornbread and butter!