Sweet Onion Chowder

image courtesy real simple

6 slices bacon
2 T olive oil
4 large yellow onion
3 cloves garlic
2 cans chicken broth/ 3 bouillon mixed with 4 C water
2 C mashed potatoes (could substitute frozen hashbrowns or small diced potatoes)
2 C corn kernel
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 C cream or whole milk

1. cook bacon. (Did you know you can cook bacon in a microwave?! Simply place on a microwave safe plate, and nuke for 3-4 minutes until crisp.) Blot with paper towel and set aside.

2. Heat oil in large pot on medium heat. Peel and dice onions and add as you chop. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until tender. (6 minutes-ish)

3. Add minced garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add broth/bouillon mix, stir well. Add mashed taters, corn, bay, thyme, and pepper.

4. Cover pot, raise heat to high and bring soup to boil. Meanwhile, crumble bacon. When soup comes to boil, remove from heat and take out bay leaves. Stir in cream until well combined, and serve with crumbled bacon on top! :)

You can add a little heat to this dish by adding a 1/2tsp cayenne or Korean chili powder. OR... chop up some jalapenos or Hot Korean peppers and throw those in with step 3. Leave the seeds in for heat or take out for mild pepper flavor!

This is great served with tortilla chips or french bread. You could even make homemade croutons with some stale bread to go on top with the bacon bits... and a little cheese never hurt anyone either! ;)

Recipe modified from Cheap.Fast.Good!