Fire-Roasted Corn Chowder With Sriracha
I have been making a conscious effort to cook more lately. There’s just something about making your own meals that makes you appreciate what’s going into your body. I decided to try this chowder using my favorite spicy condiment, Sriracha. The smoked paprika and cilantro garnish really made this dish out-of-this-world-delicious. I made plenty, and the leftovers were even better than the first batch!
Fire-Roasted Corn Chowder
Adapted from The Sriracha Cookbook by Randy Clemens
8 ears fresh sweet corn, husked
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced
2 red onions, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup Sriracha, plus more for garnish
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 cup dairy-free creamer (almond or soy milk work fine)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Smoked paprika, for garnish
Torn leaves of fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
- Roast 4 ears of the corn over a direct flame (on a preheated grill or over a gas burner) until the corn kernels begin to blacken, turning every few minutes until all sides have roasted.
- After the roasted ears have cooled, scrape the kernels from the cobs and reserve.
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the bell peppers and onions and cook until softened slightly, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, scrape the corn kernels from the remaining 4 ears of corn.
- Add the raw corn kernels and garlic, and cook until the garlic is aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the vegetable stock, Sriracha, thyme, and bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
- About 10 minutes before the soup is finished, gently heat the dairy-free creamer over low heat, keeping just below a simmer.
- Once the soup has cooked for 45 minutes, discard the thyme and bay leaves.
- Purée the soup using an immersion blender. (A food processor or blender can be utilized with caution, puréeing the hot liquid in small batches.)
- Mix in the warm cream and add the reserved roasted corn.
- Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until thoroughly heated.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a few lines of Sriracha, a generous sprinkle of smoked paprika, and torn cilantro or parsley leaves.
Makes 6 to 8 servings
