Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean soup season is over! This light corn chowder is stuffed with summer vegetables and fresh clean flavors, and topped with a dollop of chive-infused ricotta for a hint of indulgence.
Well, this is a conundrum.
Sweet summer corn is good (and I mean REALLY GOOD) for, what? Four weeks a year? Maybe five if we’re pushing it?
And I intend to eat all of it.
In all the ways.
(Join me?)
But, chowder.
Which is thick creamy dreamy and so not 85 degrees and sunny appropriate.
And therein lies the problem.
To chowder or not to chowder, as Shakespeare would have undoubtedly had Hamlet say if corn had been indigenous to 16th century England.
On the one hand, get it while the getting’s good.
(And if you’ve had corn lately, then you know. The getting is amazeballs.)
And on the other, it is just SO HEAVY that one bite will probably make us feel ill and like we have to take a cold shower.
As with many of life’s greatest and most profound dilemmas, the solution is, apparently, compromise.
Corn chowder, but without all the butter and cream, stuffed with fresh summer-ripened vegetables and all the corn my heart could possibly desire (okay, a mere fraction of the corn my heart could possibly desire, but that’s not saying much),
It’s a thing. And a really delicious one, at that.
Even though this chowder is broth-based, it gets a hearty kick from the potatoes, corn and bell peppers that fill up every spoonful, along with a hint of decadence from the dollop of chive-infused ricotta that gets plopped on top.
Slurp.
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, diced
- ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1½ lb yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 ears corn
- 5 sprigs of thyme
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup ricotta
- ¼ cup chives, minced
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions to the pot and saute for 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Add the salt, potatoes, bell pepper and corn kernels to the pot. Saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the thyme and vegetable broth to the pot, scraping the bottom of the pot to pull up any brown bits. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the ricotta and chives.
- Season soup to taste with salt and black pepper. Remove the thyme sprigs before serving. Divide the soup evenly among four bowls and top each with a dollop of ricotta.
For more summer-perfect soups, check out these:
Roasted Eggplant Bisque with Harissa and Parmesan Crisps
From Around the Web:
Vegetarian Tortilla Soup from Cookie + Kate
Spicy Roasted Corn and Poblano Soup from How Sweet Eats
Tortellini Soup with Artichokes from Foodiecrush
Sweet Corn Eggdrop Soup from Running to the Kitchen
Yellow Squash Soup with Toasted Cumin from 10th Kitchen
I had soup yesterday too. Your corn chowder looks healthy and delicious.
We just had the first corn of the season today! SO GOOD. Also, it is still totally soup season — what better time than the dead of summer to eat the best-tasting vegetables in the land in every form raw or cooked? That chive ricotta sounds fantastic too — I remember making a basil ricotta that was just amazing, so I can imagine exactly how much of a punch is must pack here. Yay!
I absolutely love summer soups!
I love corn chowder and yours is particularly gorgeous. The ricotta on top is genius!
Yes please! How beautiful! I am loving your corn board on pinterest too.
You should really patent this. It is the best of corn and the best of chowder pulled together for summer perfection!
Love the idea of a summer chowder! Or, chowdah as the folks around Boston would say… I love all the veggies in this!
Soup season never ends, fact (I actually made soup for dinner last night, mmmm). Also fact: I wish that sweet corn season never ended. This looks amazing and I’m totally loving on the dollop of chive ricotta
This is my kind of chowder, who needs the heavy stuff? And that ricotta… I want to spread it on everything!
That chive ricotta!! Brilliant. I love summer chowders, especially on days like yesterday when the temps are all over the place.
I want corn in all things as well…bring it! And this recipe is awesome!
I can definitely go for corn chowder any time of year and that ricotta is driving me berserk! Not gonna lie, I may have to take a cold shower after enjoying a big bowl of this soup in spite of the fact that it’s butter and creamless because I want to do all the things to it. < – Too bold. Too bold for a Monday.
Sweet summer corn is good. And I love adding to soups. Delicious!
What a delicious chowder recipe, it looks awesome 😀
The chive ricotta is inspired!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Potatoes and corn with thyme sounds heavenly! I don’t think I could resist seconds of this fabulous chowder!
At what point do you scrape corn off the cob? Before or after cooking? Thanks
Before cooking! Sorry, I will clarify in the recipe. 🙂
Loving this soup! I made a similar, less soupy version last night, but with zucchini, and threw it over polenta. Agreed – when the corn is good, get it.
Love this summer chowder – I’ve been picking up corn from the farmer’s market each week – it is so sweet!
There is probably something wrong with me, but I cannot enjoy soup during Summer. I see all sorts of cold soups, and Summer-friendly soups, but I never make them or try them in restaurants. Not sure why, I should at least give it a try, right?
😉
HI Joanne, what a smart dish, love everything about this and could eat this all day long!
OMG the chive ricotta is genius! Especially over this chowder! YUMMMM!
This chowder? I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even need a spoon. That gorgeous ricotta? All I would need is a spoon. —- I can’t even tell you how badly I’m craving this gorgeous soup right now, Joanne! Gorgeous. 🙂
Oh I will totally join you in eating ALLL of the corn! I actually thought about doing a corn week on my blog, but then ran out of time, haha. I love your summer soup – this looks so light and delicious! I definitely love soup year round!
Oh, I will most definitely be joining you. I’ve always thought the chowder in mid summer seemed a bit overwhelming, but this would be PERFECT.
Absolutely! My stomach has been protesting the cups of corn I’ve happily eaten this summer, but it is so so worth it. Corn is why I live for summer, no? 🙂 And to chowder is the only way to go! I think chowder is like ice cream – there is on season for it!
I think adding the ricotta on top is brilliant. The chowder looks tasty!
i’m all about soup year round! you don’t have to convince me 🙂 that chive ricotta topping sounds wonderful!
Soup is great anytime of the year.
Oh hello, gorgeous bowl of goodness. Get in mah belly!
Oh my gosh, Joanne! This is like Summer in a bowl. And I LOVE it.
I will certainly join you in eating as much farm-fresh corn this season! Corn chowder definitely says ‘summer’ to me and the dollop of ricotta makes it a meal and a delicious one at that.
That is a lovely soup! Checking out the others at the bottom, too.
I definitely share your love for corn. And it is never too hot to chowder, hot food actually cools the body 😉
Sweet corn chowder has been one of my fave, go-to soup recipes for years but I’ve never tried if with ricotta like this… I’m intrigued, sounds yum x
TWINS! I have corn chowder on the menu for this weekend with friends.
I love this lighter take on corn chowder!
Love the ricotta chive addition!
You had me with that giant blob of ricotta! Oh, and also the delicious sweet corn. It’s definitely one of my favorite things about the end of summer…
You put everything awesome about summer in one bowl!!
Love this chowder. Perfect even in warm weather and I love any way to use summer corn while it’s here!
This post made me laugh. It had all my negative preconceptions about this chowder in the summertime put to rest. This looks and sounds amazing!
Corn is in abundance here and I am so going to make this! thanks for sharing 🙂
I don’t eat nearly enough sweet corn. I should join you and eat more
The chowder sounds delicious, and perfect for the non-summer we’re having here 😛
I know! Corn and peaches are only good for such a short time of the year, I too tend to overdose and love every minute of it. Every year I actually say I am going to make corn chowder but never get around to it. Yours looks so hearty!
I support this! Corn really doesn’t need butter and cream to shine. I swear, the best ever corn I’ve ever had is wrapped in foil and thrown into a campfire, husks and all. But a girl can’t always do that–this is a lovely alternative.
And thanks for the linkage!
Is there anything better than sweet fresh corn? I roasted potatoes the other day. When it was 105 degrees outside. So I am certainly not opposed to soup in the summer. I want what I want!
Oh for fresh summer corn – love the stuff but it is not happening here – we have proper chowder weather – love how you manage to make chowder summery and enjoy your corn – that is win win
I can’t get enough of fresh sweet corn and your summer chowder sounds perfect! Love the sound of the ricotta chive too. Looks amazing!
It does look very good. I love corn season too and yes, you should make the best of it while in season. I love how your chowder has a lovely dollop of ricotta xx
Love corn chowder as is but the ricotta on top really seals the deal and makes it extra special! I don’t mind eating soup like this even in 100 degree weather!
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is I love soup. I love corn too and the corn chowder looks amazing.
This looks so delicious! I love soup year round. I just made a corn bisque last week myself. LOVE the idea of the chive ricotta! Your recipes are wonderful! 🙂
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I totally got spoiled with sweet corn when I lived in Indiana. My uncle grew it on his farm and maaaaan it was the best ever. This chowder looks delicious – love the chive ricotta dollop!
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