Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but adds a lovely depth)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 cups sweet corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
- 1 cup cauliflower florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (soy or cashew milk work best)
Optional Toppings
- Crispy bacon
- Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or cilantro)
- Croutons.
- A dollop of sour cream (if you don’t need a dairy-free option)
Instructions
1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Simmer the Soup: Add the vegetable broth, potatoes, corn, and cauliflower to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
3. Blend for Creaminess: Remove about 1-2 cups of the soup mixture and carefully transfer it to a blender (or use an immersion blender). Puree the portion until smooth. Pour the blended mixture back into the pot.
4. Add Milk & Finish: Stir in the plant-based milk. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, as needed. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Serve & Enjoy: Ladle the creamy chowder into bowls and top with your desired toppings like crispy bacon, fresh herbs, croutons, or a dollop of sour cream.
Tips
Fresh Corn: If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob. To enhance the corn flavor, add the corn cobs to the simmering broth, then remove them before blending.
Thicker Chowder: For a thicker consistency, puree a larger portion of the soup.
Adjusting Spices: Play around with spices like a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat, a small amount of cumin, or fresh thyme for an earthy note.
