Spicy Southwestern Chowder Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a medium/large Dutch oven or soup pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the corn, potatoes, onion, poblano, bell pepper, celery, ½ teaspoon of the salt, and ½ teaspoon chili powder. Stir to combine. Cook until the onions are tender and translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, while stirring constantly. Add the broth and water and stir to combine. Drop in the bay leaf.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. It's not done until the potatoes are fully cooked through and very easily pierced through with a fork.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Using kitchen tongs, remove the bay leaf. Carefully transfer about 3 cups of the soup (about half liquid, half solids) to a blender. Securely fasten the lid and be careful to avoid the hot steam as you blend until completely smooth. Add the butter and blend again.
• Pour the mixture back into the pot. Add the cilantro, crème fraîche (see note if using sour cream or Greek yogurt) and lime juice. Stir to combine. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and be generous with the black pepper, to taste. If you'd like more spice, add up to 1/2 teaspoon more chili powder, to taste.
• Divide the chowder into bowls and top with garnishes of your choice. Leftover chowder will keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days or for several months frozen.

SOUTHWESTERN CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• Put the oiled corn on a baking sheet and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Put the oiled tomatoes on another baking sheet and roast them both for 10 to 12 minutes until the tomato skin blisters and the corn is lightly browned. In a medium skillet, grill the red pepper over medium-high heat until it is black on each side. Put the tomatoes and the pepper in the refrigerator, and peel them when they have cooled.
• Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat and add the onion and garlic and saute. Add the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock, roasted corn, peeled tomatoes, half-and-half, and 1 1/4 cups of the tortilla chip pieces and mix well. Pour this mixture in a food processor or blender* and puree until smooth. Strain the chowder, and then season it with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, to taste. Peel and dice the roasted red pepper. Serve the soup topped with diced avocado, red pepper, and the remaining tortilla chip pieces. Serve immediately.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large nonstick saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender., Stir in the broth, soup, chicken and chilies until blended. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; stir in the corn, milk, chili powder and cumin. Heat through (do not boil). Sprinkle each serving with cheese and cilantro.

SOUTHWESTERN SPICY CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Melt butter with olive oil in pot.
• Add celery, bell pepper and onion.
• Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add hash browns, corn, and green chilis.
• Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Combine all dry ingrediants.
• Add to pot and stir for 1 minute constantly.
• Add chicken stock and bring to boil.
• Reduce to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add cream and let simmer 2 more minutes stirring frequently.
• Ready to serve.
• Add bacan bits to chowder for a little added flavor and to take a little of the heat off.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large soup pot over medium-high heat add the olive oil and diced chicken, season with salt and pepper and cook until cooked through until chicken is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Once chicken is done cooking, transfer to a bowl or plate and set aside.
• In the same pot, reduce heat to medium and add in onion, garlic, poblano, red bell pepper, potatoes and corn and saute for 6-8 minutes or until potatoes start to soften a bit.
• Next stir in spices and cook for 30 seconds to release their flavors and aromas, then slowly stir in the milk, broth and yogurt (or sour cream), scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan as you stir. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium low and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes uncovered or until the potatoes are tender and can easily be pierced with a fork.
• To give a creamy texture, blend approximately half of the soup (BE CAREFUL WHILE DOING THIS!) then return to the pot. Stir to incorporate and then taste and adjust seasonings -- adding in more salt and pepper if necessary. You can blend more if you like a creamier soup, but I love a little texture. Finally stir in the chicken, black beans and lime juice.
• To serve, garnish with shredded cheese, scallions, cilantro, avocado and a swirl of sour cream (if not vegan). Makes 6 servings.

SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, jalapeno, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne. Add the turkey, beans, tomatoes and corn. , Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Garnish with sour cream, chips, cheese and olives if desired. Freeze option: Place individual portions of cooled soup in freezer containers and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth if necessary.

SPICY SOUTHWESTERN CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large stock pot.
• Add onions and sauté 5 minutes over medium heat.
• Add the linguica and saute 5 more minutes more.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the clams and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes till the potatoes and carrots are tender.
• Add the baby clams and cook 5 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy.