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Calling all corn lovers...
I think you're going to go crazy over this delicious, silky-smooth Fresh Corn Bisque. We did. With only five ingredients, it's super simple to put together and takes well under an hour from start to finish. While being perfect for lunch it's also wonderful for a light dinner with a simple green salad and a loaf of crusty, warm bread.
Oh, and if you've got a dinner party coming up and want to wow your guests with a fabulous make-ahead appetizer, serves this delightful soup in pretty little bowls garnished with fresh herbs or a drizzle of pesto oil. You'll have them begging for just "a bit more".
If you’re a regular visitor here at The Café, you may have noticed that I’ve been on a bit of a corn kick lately. That’s because I’ve been finding the sweetest, most tender corn at the market. It’s not local, but it’s been very reasonably priced and super-delicious. I find myself filling up a big bag each time I go—and then I have to figure out what to do with it! Such a dilemma, huh?For me it’s a wonderful dilemma. Along with enjoying it right off the cob, I’ve added it to all kinds of salads, including a Fresh Corn & Avocado Quinoa Salad, another with Israeli Couscous and one of our very favorites; a Fresh Corn Salad w/ Mango, Avocado & Bacon. It also adds sweet crisp flavor and texture to salsas, as in this Pineapple Avocado and Fresh Corn Salsa, or this fabulous Sweet Cilantro Salsa w/ Fresh Corn.
This time, I decided to use my stash of corn to make a silky smooth Fresh Corn Bisque. Not a ton of ingredients in this recipe; corn is the big star here. A little chicken stock, some shallots, an onion, and a potato to add a bit of body. The corn cobs are simmered in the broth to add a depth of corn flavor, and then discarded. When everything is super-tender, the chunky soup is pureed in a blender. The final touch? A pass through a fine sieve yields the silkiest smooth corn bisque you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting.
Enjoy it unadorned or with a scoop of fresh corn and a swirl of pesto. I have a feeling, once you try this, you’ll be just like me: filling up big bags of corn at the market all summer long!
- Fresh Corn Bisque:
- 8 ears sweet corn kernels removed from cobs. Do not discard cobs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot peeled and coarsely chopped
- ½ medium sweet onion peeled and coarsely chopped
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 large russet potato peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon pesto combined with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
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Melt butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Add oil, chopped shallot, and onion, and cook until soft and transparent, 4-5 minutes.
-
Add chicken broth, corn cobs, and potato. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for for 15 minutes until potato is very tender. Remove cobs, add corn and return to a simmer. Cook for another 2 minutes.
-
Allow soup to cool slightly, then purée in batches in a blender or food processor until smooth. Place a fine sieve over a medium-size bowl and strain, pressing on solids with the back of a spoon. Discard solids.
-
Return soup to pot, add salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Rewarm over medium heat. Serve in bowls garnished with fresh corn and drizzled with pesto oil.
COOK'S NOTE
Be sure to let the soup cool for 5-10 minutes before blending. Blending the mixture while very hot can actually force the lid off of the blender container due to the expansion of the steam, causing a huge mess. It also helps to start on low and progressively increase the blender speed. Blend in batches, filling the container about half full. Removing the center insert on the top of the blender (cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel) will also help prevent a mess.
Jen says
What a beautiful summer soup!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Jen!
Meg says
This recipe looks great, but do you cook the corn first before cutting it off the cob, or do you only simmer for 2 minutes before blending?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Meg, that is correct. The corn is just briefly cooked which helps it retain a fantastic fresh flavor.
Erin says
Gorgeous soup. Looks absolutely amazing!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
You had me at silky smooth....
Liz says
Waving my hands wildly...I AM a corn lover! And your soup looks divine...garnished to perfection!
Sandra says
That swirl is just too pretty. You're so good at this Chris!!
Kim says
I'm a corn lover!!!!! And I know I would love this chowder!!!!
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
That's absolutely gorgeous, Chris. I'm one of those corn lovers that you're paging so I'll be right over, ok?
Susan says
This looks just perfect for this time of year, Chris!
Cuisinedeprovence says
Chris, this bisque looks like a work of art - divine!
spoon-stories says
I've never tried something like that before! Looks amazing 😛
Vicki Bensinger says
This looks wonderful Chris. I'm thrilled to see you use a potato to make this bisque thick and creamy rather than cream. I will definitely save this recipe to try later.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Mmm I love corn Chris! In fact today I just planted my first ever corn crop. Fingers crossed I get some ears!
TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, the colors of this soup are amazing - I love corn soup and it sounds wonderful in combination with some fresh, homemade pesto! Wonderful photos and fabulous recipe!
Hope you had a great Mother´s Day - I loved the picture of you, your sisters and your mom that you posted on FB!
Kim - Liv Life says
What a lovely Bisque!! I'm SO excited that corn season is upon us... we can never get enough!
cheri says
What an elegant looking bisque Chris! I know I would be asking for just a bit more a few times. Great pics!
Jodee Weiland says
This is a wonderful soup recipe...so delicious! I love the ingredients and flavors. I can't wait to try this...thanks for sharing!
Debra says
What beautiful colors. checking it out.
Monique says
Si belle soupe!
Happier Than A Pig In Mud says
Very pretty, love the colors:@)
Ginny Hartzler says
You have made a simple dish look so decadent and extravagant!!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
This is a beautiful bisque! Heading over now to check it out. Yum
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
So creamy and delicious! I have to make some soon.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
Gorgeous and the swirl is just amazing. This would definitely wow your guests.
Sam
Catherine says
A beautiful!!! bisque. I love the syrup! so very, very tasty. Blessings, Catherine