Shrimp and Corn Chowder
Newspaper
6 ears fresh corn, kernels cut off
6 green onions, white part, sliced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chenin blanc
4 red potatoes, 3 ounces each, peeled
3 cups half-and-half
1 rib celery, chopped
1 to 2 teaspoons fresh dill, to taste
2 teaspoons salt
Pinch cayenne
¼ teaspoon white pepper
1 pound medium shrimp (36-40)
1 bay leaf
2 slices fresh lime
2 to 4 peppercorns
Fresh parsley sprigs
10 chives, in ¾-inch lengths
8 sprigs fresh dill
Set aside 1½ cups corn kernels. Place the rest along with green onions in 2 quart saucepan, adding cream and wine. Bring to boil and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, boil potatoes for 5 minutes. Cool and cut into 1.4-inch cubes. Transfer the corn mixture to blender and blend until smooth. Strain, pressing to remove all the liquid. Return the liquid in the same saucepan and add reserved corn, half-and-half, celery, dill. 1½ teaspoons salt, cayenne and white pepper and reserved potatoes. Cook for 5-8 minutes over medium heat. Refrigerate overnight. Before serving, place the shrimp in a large skillet. Cover with cold water, add bay leaf, lime, remaining salt, peppercorns and parsley. Bring to boil. Boil, agitating to cook evenly, for 30 seconds. Peel and devein; the shrimp will finish cooking when reheated with the soup. Reheat soup in 2-quart saucepan. If too thick, thin with a little water. Add shrimp and bring to boiling point. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chives and dill. 8 1-cup servings.
This was wonderful, superb. I was afraid there would be too much dill flavor but everything blended perfectly. I didn’t peel the potatoes, but it probably would have been more elegant if I had. Sieving the corn was a nuisance but it provided a flavorful thickening. The shrimp weren’t overcooked. It would have been good even without the shrimp. I probably used a little more corn, since it was already cut off and frozen and I wasn’t sure how much 6 ears made. Rich and lovely.