There are brown boxes everywhere, some packed, some partially packed and several others resting next to it, soon to be used. It's not a pretty scene out here. It is a mess. For someone who likes things kept in place, neatly arranged and clean (I don’t have OCD, I promise), it’s painful to watch the chaos. In less than a week, we shift to another apartment. It is something I am looking forward to for several reasons. It’s not too far from where we currently live but we still need to haul a moving truck, which means there is a lot of sorting and stuffing happening these days.
So, before I reach a stage when blogging becomes my least priority, let me quickly share this summer soup with you. It’s our absolutely favorite and I’m sure you will love it too.
I didn’t grow up sipping soup for supper. It’s not common in India although I believe the trend is now changing a bit. At times, my mom asks me for ideas to prepare soup. Dad still doesn’t like it but mom enjoys it, especially when she is not in her best health. The past few years that I am here in US, I got used to soup so much that it’s become our frequent weekly dinner. We both love it, be it creamy or thin, loaded or light.
Corn soup happens every summer, regardless of how warm the days get. Occasionally, I make it light with lots of vegetables and other times, creamy chowder. You might get lazy and think of using frozen corn but don’t! Corn chowder tastes best only and only with fresh summer corn. Truth. And if you are a seafood lover, throw in some jumbo shrimp. Either chop it to teeny sizes or leave it whole for the extra bite.
A very special ingredient that went in the corn chowder this time is Korean Chili Flakes from Season with Spice. Unusual, I agree but it worked. I loved the rich color of flakes and it smells just divine. It’s not too spicy but just a teaspoon and it turned the chowder to a beautiful shade of orange. I eat with my eyes first and a good-looking soup with a vibrant color always makes me hungrier for more!
Spicy Shrimp Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- 2 ears of corn (kernels removed)
- 8 jumbo shrimps (skin and tail removed)
- 1 leek (finely chopped)
- 1 bunch green onions (finely chopped)
- 1 medium potato (cut in cubes)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon fennel powder
- 1-¼ teaspoon korean chili powder
- oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- In a deep pan, melt butter along with 1 tablespoon oil in medium heat. Add garlic along with chopped leek. Add a pinch of salt and give it a stir. Allow it cook at medium heat for about 3 minutes or until the chopped leek is softened.
- In the same pan, add corn, potatoes and half of the chopped green onion. Season with salt, add all the spices (cumin, fennel and 1 teaspoon korean chili powder), give it a stir and allow it to cook for about a minute. Now, add water and milk, bring the heat to medium low and allow the potatoes to soften.
- In the mean time, rub some oil, salt and ¼ teaspoon of korean chili powder to the jumbo shrimp and pan fry it for about 3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp curls up. Keep it aside to be used later.
- Check the pan and if the potatoes are softened enough, ladle half of the soup in a blender and blend it to smooth consistency. Return it to the saucepan and give it a stir. (This would thicken the chowder. Alternatively, you can blend the whole soup to creamy). Check for salt and add any, if required.
- Ladle soup in serving bowl, top it with the pan-fried shrimp and garnish with the remaining green onions.
Nutrition
Now, I have to get back to packing. Wish me luck so I don’t break anything in the process.
rebecca
all the best for the move where too ? hugs and will facebook you looks a fab soup
Rose magpiesrecipes
Beautiful K! best of luck with your move!
arundati
I got here through a search for papri chaat! what a gorgeous blog and I cant imagine how i missed it! going back to gawk!
kulsum@journeykitche
bahut pyaare pictures K. I actually never had corn chowder I think. Or may be I did ages ago.
Nicole
This looks so amazing! I love everything about this recipe!
dixya
good luck with packing and moving..I could see myself enjoying this soup soon 🙂
easyfoodsmith
Hoping you have moved to the new place and settling well. The corn chowder is something I am never able to make in my kitchen coz my husband does not like corn although I love it. So i am letting my eyes feast on this one! It sounds fab and I intend to make it when hubby is travelling 😛
Lail | With A Spin
This chowder looks incredibly tempting. Can't wait to try the Korean chili powder.
Mallika
Been away from blogging since sometime and I missed your space so much! Before I opened my blog, I was here to see yours. Absolutely stunning Kankana! Lovely clicks as usual!
nipponnin
Sorry for late comment. Have you already moved? I love chowder. I haven't tried corn chowder yet but I would love to make this dish soon. Beautiful photos! Loved it!
Shweta A
Hey, I love you blog, i almost have a blog crush on u. The way you write and the way you click is so amazing and beyond words:) Ah! totally a delight to see your blog everytime:) Love it a lot 🙂
Please do visit my space , i will be super happy:)
Nusrat Azim
This is how they serve corn-seafood chowder in heaven ! Loved the 'special Korean kick' that you mentioned in the recipe 🙂
And I'm sick 'n tired of giving compliments on your incredible pictures! I want a break !
(kidding aside, you are one hell of an inspiration! Sending you all my positive thoughts so that moving goes smooth)
Nik@ABrownTable
I love every photograph here. Good luck with the move! I kinda like moving, the change can sometimes be fun and welcoming.
jehanne
I so don't envy you moving- been there, done that, so many times! Love soup of all kinds, and especially chowder like this, they make the perfect one pot meal!
Nami JustOneCookbook
You're moving! It's a lot of work to move... I used to enjoy it but that was when I was in college and didn't have much. Good luck with packing/unnpacking! Love this soup! We always love shrimp and it's nice flavor to add in corn chowder.
Abbe@This is How I C
Love this soup! And I hope your move goes flawlessly!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
We moved this spring just after little A's birth and oh boy what a messy month it was!
I wish you a really smooth one. Hope you settle in the new house soon.
I m loving that board in your pictures, as if you rubbed some cocoa powder on it! Pretty. If I take the shrimp out of the scene, this could be P's fav thing to eat - it has corn and potatoes and butter. Gorgeous!
Damn Delicious
I would love this for sure! And it doesn't matter that it's so incredibly hot in LA - I need to stuff my face with this!
Elvira
Believe it or not it's not easy to find some good fresh corn in Rome. I still can't figure out why! The combination is a delight to my eyes and my tastebuds are tickling so I'm need to go corn hunting, I hope to find some soon.
P.S. the photos are stunning 🙂
Kitchen Belleicious
corn chowder is one of those hot soups that I can enjoy anytime of the year hot or cold outside it doesn't matter. This looks amazing. I usually put crab in mine but Ilove the idea of using shrimp