Kimmie's Corn Chowder

I am ready rename the Midwest the Freezer. yes, it is winter, and winter is cold, and I did move here for the change in seasons, but I'm done. I am ready for spring.

On that note, the being cold part, I have been thinking about my favorite soups and stews. Tonight we will be having corn chowder, and as I  am always trying to loose weight, again, I will be making a light version. It will still be thick and yummy, but here is the regular version first.



Ingredients
1 12 to 16 oz bag of frozen corn
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
1 can creamed corn
1/2 onion copped
1/4 green bell pepper, chopped
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
4 oz lean ham diced.
1 quart cream of celery soup
2 chicken bullion cubes
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon sugar

Garnish
sour cream
chives
crumbled bacon

Start by putting the corn in the bottom of the crock pot. next add the onion, bell pepper, an the potatoes.

 Stir together. Add the celery soup. Turn the crock pot on high, and bring to a simmer.

After it has simmered together for 2 hours, add sugar, salt and pepper. mix well.  Take about a quarter of the soup and put in a blender; blend until smooth. Add back to the pot. Turn down to low for two more hours. 

Serve with sour cream, bacon and chives.

To lighten this up, substitute cream of celery soup for low fat chicken broth, use low fat milk and light sour cream,  and turkey bacon. 

To get the same flavor, you'll need to add 1/3 cup finely diced celery and 1 teaspoon celery seeds. Add these at the beginning when mixing the corn onion and potato.