Crab & Corn Chowder

Is there anything as comforting as a big bowl of nourishing soup after a long day? Not in my book!

I like to make a giant pot of soup every week throughout the fall and winter. In addition to making a delicious dinner, there are always plenty of leftovers to bring for lunch the rest of the week. It’s also a great way to get a few extra servings of vegetables when it seems like there isn’t much in season. One of the first soups that I make every fall is crab and corn chowder. We look forward to it all summer! Sweet end-of-summer corn pairs perfectly with smokey poblano peppers and spicy Old Bay seasoning to make a deeply satisfying meal (especially when you serve it with cheddar & green onion biscuits).

Crab & Corn Chowder

• 1 poblano pepper
• 1 Tbs butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 2 Tbs old bay
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbs flour
• 2 oz sherry
• 32 oz fish stock
• 16 oz crab (claw meat)
• 3 ears corn, cut away from the ear (about 1.5 cups)
• 2 c. fat free half and half
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
• 2 green onions, chopped

Place a large soup pot over high heat. Add the poblano and cook, turning occasionally, until the skin begins to blacken and blister — about 5 minutes. Remove the pepper and chop.

Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften. Add the celery, red pepper, potatoes, old bay, cayenne, and flour. Stir to coat the vegetables with the spices. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Add the sherry and scrape up any bits of vegetables that stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add the fish stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and cooked through. Add the crab, corn, and half and half. Heat through. Stir in lemon juice. Garnish with green onions and additional Old Bay, if desired.

Yields 10 servings (about 2 cups each)
Approx. 175 calories, 3 grams fat, 2.5 grams fiber, 13 grams protein

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I’m submitting this recipe to Souper Sundays at Kahakai Kitchen