Corn & Crab Chowder

My girl Rachel Ray does not disappoint...

I love crab and lobster bisque or chowder. When I travel to the Northeast, these are ALWAYS a must, but I wanted to bring it home to North Dallas.. and I found a Rachel Ray recipe that I felt confident enough in sharing with our sweet friends the Cabreras.

Chris is my number 1 follower, and oh so critical if he can be, but I voluntarily brought him this meal... and it didnt disappoint!

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan in a slow stream

2 tablespoons butter

2 all-purpose potatoes, peeled and diced

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 bay leaf, fresh or dried

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning blend, found near seafood department or, on spice aisle in your market

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups vegetable or chicken stock or broth

1 quart whole milk

3 cups corn kernels, scraped fresh from the cob or, frozen kernels

8 ounces cooked lump crab meat, fresh is available in plastic tubs at many fish counters

4 small bread boules, 6 inches, hollowed out, preferably sour dough, optional

Toppings:
Oyster crackers

Hot cayenne pepper sauce

Sliced scallions

 Directions


Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add oil and butter. As you chop your veggies, add them to the pot: potatoes, celery, onion, and red bell pepper. Add bay leaf to the pot. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and Old Bay seasoning. Saute veggies 5 minutes, then sprinkle in flour. Cook flour 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and combine. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup up to a bubble. Add corn and crab meat and simmer soup 5 minutes. Adjust the soup seasonings. Remove bay leaf. Ladle soup into bread bowls or soup bowls and top with oyster crackers, hot sauce and sliced scallions.

Holy goodness. do.it.