Savory Seasonal Soup

On Christmas Eve, my family always makes soup. We make soup because compared to the many other meals surrounding the holiday, it seems low maintenance. There is last minute shopping, gift wrapping or decorating to attend to, so everyone seems hungry at a different time. This soup will easily sit on the stove waiting to satisfy! It’s hearty and filling without being too much to tackle in the midst of holiday chaos.

Chicken Corn Chowder
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
¾ cup diced onion (yellow or white)
¼ cup diced celery
½ cup chopped carrot
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock
1 ½ cups cooked chicken
¾ cup cooked ham or sausage pieces
Salt and freshly cracked pepper
2 cans creamed corn
1 cup frozen white corn
¼ cup green onion
1-2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
½ cup half and half or cream

Combine oil and butter in the bottom of a medium to large soup pot. Add onions and sauté until nearly translucent. Add celery and carrot with salt and pepper to taste and cook a few minutes more. Because you are softening the veggies keep the pot on moderate heat, you don’t want to brown them. Create a well in the center of the pan and add the flour to the oil/butter. If there isn’t enough excess fat, add another teaspoon of Olive Oil. Stir the flour into the fat and allow to cook for about 30 seconds. Immediately cover with chicken stock. Allow the soup to boil, then add the canned creamed corn and bring down to a simmer for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the chicken and ham in small pieces. After adding the meat to the pot, taste the broth and adjust seasoning. Keep in mind that the soups flavors will continue to meld the longer you cook it, but that allowing it to boil will likely toughen the meats. Add frozen corn desired cream or half and half and be sure soup is heated thoroughly just before serving. I serve this in oversized mugs garnished with green onion, chopped parsley and lots of fresh black pepper. This soup goes very well with a salad or with grilled cheese sandwiches.