White Bean Chowder Recipes

HAM AND WHITE BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Peel the carrots. Chop the carrots, onion, celery and ham into roughly 1/2 inch pieces. (If your ham is already sliced, just cut it up into bite-sized squares.)
• Heat the butter in a stock pot on medium high heat. Add in the vegetables and ham, plus the kosher salt (see note 1), pepper, and dried thyme.
• Sauté, stirring frequently, until the ham and vegetables start to give off some liquid and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. (If you have an electric kettle: half way through the cooking time, start heating 2 cups of water in the kettle.)
• p id="instruction-step-4">4. Add 2 cups of water to the pot, either already boiling (see step 3 above), or very hot from the tap. Add the 2 cans of beans, undrained, to the pot.
• p id="instruction-step-5">5. Turn the heat up to high until the soup begins to boil. (You can cover the pot if you want to speed up the boiling process; uncover the pot again once the soup is boiling.) Turn the heat down to medium or medium low to maintain a simmer.
• p id="instruction-step-6">6. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Turn the heat off and add the half & half or cream, stir to combine. Taste the soup and add more salt and/or pepper if needed.

WHITE BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic until onion is softened.
• Add one can of beans and mash roughly.
• Stir in remaining can of beans, green chilies, corn, carrots, celery, and broth.
• Bring soup to a simmer and stir in the cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Combine milk and cornstarch, stirring well.
• Stir the milk mixture into the soup, bringing it gradually to a boil.
• Reduce heat and allow soup to simmer until veggies are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently.
• Stir in 3/4 c of the cheese, reserving the remainder for use as garnish, and remove from heat.
• Serve garnished with cheese and cilantro.
• Note: I usually serve with some hot sauce on the table for those who like to add some heat.

CHICKEN, WHITE BEAN, CORN & CHEDDAR CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large saucepan set over medium-high heat, cook the bacon (if using) until crisp.
• Transfer it to paper towels to drain and cool, then crumble and set it aside.
• If you're not using bacon, heat a drizzle of oil and blob of butter in the saucepan over medium heat.
• Saute the onion and celery in the bacon drippings (or oil and butter) for about 5 minutes, until soft.
• Add the flour and cumin and cook, stirring, for another minute.
• Stir in the stock, potatoes, and beans and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce the heat, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
• Stir in the corn, chicken, and cream and allow the chowder to return to a gentle simmer.
• Add the cheese and stir just until it melts.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve hot, topped with crumbled bacon, if using.

SLOW COOKER NORTHERN WHITE BEAN BACON CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place beans in a large bowl with the water, cover, and soak overnight.
• In a large skillet over medium to medium high heat, fry the bacon until crispy. Drain the bacon fat and crumble the bacon; set aside.
• In a slow cooker, combine the carrot, celery, onion, potato, Italian- style seasoning, ground black pepper, reserved beans and crumbled bacon. Pour the broth over all.
• Cover and cook on low setting for 7 1/2 to 9 hours, or until beans are crisp to tender.
• Transfer 2 cups at a time to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Return all to slow cooker, add the milk, cover and heat on high for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through.

HEARTY BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and some of the fat; drain and set aside. Keep about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pot, add the flour and stir well to form a roux. Heat the roux until it is a dark brownish color, about 5 minutes.
• Add the onions, celery, sesame oil and carrots to the roux and saute for 2 minutes, stirring well. Add the garlic and heat for 2 more minutes. Add the water and stir well. Finally, add the white beans, black beans, cayenne pepper to taste and ground black pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 2 hours, or until the vegetables and beans are tender and the soup is the consistency you want. If the veggies aren't tender but its too thick, you can always add more water. Return the bacon to the soup and season with salt to taste.

HAM AND WHITE BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Rinse beans and drain.
• In large saucepan or soup kettle, combine beans, ham bone, and water.
• Bring to boil and boil for 2 minutes.
• Cover and remove from heat.
• Let stand for 1 hour.
• Stir in onions, garlic, parsley, tomatoes, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme and pepper. Return to boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Remove ham bone.
• Measure out 2 cups chowder; transfer to food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
• Return puree to chowder in saucepan and add ham, carrots and celery.
• Simmer for 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Remove bay leaf.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.