Happy autumn, dear reader! It is the season for warming bowls of soup, don't you think?
With new potatoes on their way in and some sweet corn still lingering, it's the perfect time right now to make vegetarian potato corn chowder with fake bacon. Potato corn chowder is a delightful autumn meal, with the stick-to-your-ribs heartiness of the potatoes balanced by the sweet crunch of fresh corn kernels. And I assert that using fake bacon is just as good as regular bacon--perhaps even better since you can enjoy delicious chowder knowing that no pigs have been harmed. Since we now have a full-time vegetarian in the family, I am cooking even more meat-free meals than ever before--and quite enjoying it.
I recommend choosing your faux bacon more for the taste than the texture--look for something with a smoky, savory presence. I have found that Benevolent Bacon from Sweet Earth is perfect.
Here's the recipe for potato corn chowder with fake bacon! Avoink the oink! (That is the name of my imaginary vegetarian bacon campaign; I like saying it loudly and often. Feel free to use my hashtag #avoinktheoink)
Ingredients:
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 T olive oil
2-3 pieces Benevolent Bacon (or any kind of fake bacon), roughly chopped
2 cups small potatoes, cubed (can leave skin on or peel--your choice)
2 cups water
1 teaspoon garlic broth base or veggie bouillon
2 ears fresh sweet corn, shucked
1/2 cup milk or cream (or more if desired)
Instructions:
- Saute the onion in the olive oil for 2-3 minutes until it's starting to look transparent and glassy.
- Add the fake bacon and stir together for another 2-3 minutes (or more)... until it's starting to look fragrant and more cooked than it was before.
- Add the potatoes, water, and broth base or bouillon. Stir together until the broth is integrated. Then, bring to a gentle boil and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- With a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off each cob of corn. (I like to hold the cob vertically on the cutting board and cut the kernels downward on the bottom half, then turn it over and do the same with the other half). Add corn to the chowder and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Before serving, stir in the milk or cream. You can also taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
I am sending you peace and hugs. May we all have warm bowls of soup when we need them.
