This delicious soup is velvety with pops of texture from the corn kernels, mushrooms and popcorn. The sweet corn melds perfectly with complex earthy mushrooms. I like to further ramp up that match by drizzling truffle oil into my soup and on my popcorn garnish. The soup can be made several days ahead of serving and can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator. Prep time does not include refrigeration time.
Chilled Corn Chowder
Servings
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 8 ears corn shucked and kernels removed, cobs saved
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 large shallots sliced
- 3 medium garlic cloves minced
- 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
- 1 jalapeno pepper roasted (optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
- 3 cups assorted mushrooms I use a mix of royal trum-pets, cremini, maitake, hen of the woods and shiitake
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- Garnish: fresh popcorn fresh lime juice, truffle oil
Instructions
- Place a medium saucepan or stock pot, lightly coated with olive oil, over medium heat.
- Add 2 cups corn kernels to pan and sauté until medium brown and charred (about 7 minutes).
- Add shallots, garlic and dried porcini mushrooms. Continue sautéing, stirring occasionally, until shallots are soft and very fragrant (about 3 minutes).
- Add remaining corn kernels, cobs, jalapeno and water. Simmer mixture for about 20 minutes.
- Remove cobs and discard.
- Transfer 2 cups of soup to a bowl and set aside (this will add texture).
- Puree soup with either an immersion blender or in batches in food processor or blender.
- Return reserved 2 cups of soup. Season with salt and pepper. Chill soup.
- Place a large sauté pan, lightly coated with olive oil, over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms in batches until lightly browned and have crispy edges (about 7-10 minutes per batch). Be sure to season each batch with salt and pepper.
- Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add enough olive oil to cover pan to a depth of ¼ inch. Add ⅓ cup of popcorn kernels. Cover pan and allow a slight opening to allow steam to escape (steam will make the popcorn tough). Shake pan occasionally until kernels have stopped popping.
- Transfer popped corn to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, plenty of black pepper and rosemary. (I like to drizzle truffle oil on my popcorn for tons of bold and delicious flavor.)
- To serve soup: ladle soup into bowls or attractive cups (I use shot glasses, tea glasses or other interesting vessels). Make a small mound of mushrooms in the center of each bowl, top with popcorn, and drizzle with olive oil or truffle oil and fresh lime juice
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