Missouri Corn Chowder - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 slices bacon, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
5 cups corn, thawed
2 medium onions, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup whipping cream
white pepper

Preparation

Saute bacon in heavy large pot over medium heat until fat is rendered and bacon begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
Combine 1/4 cup of each bell pepper in small bowl and set aside.
Add all remaining bell peppers, 2 1/2 cups corn kernels, chopped onions and celery to pot and saute until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.
Sprinkle flour over and stir 5 minutes.
Gradually mix in 4 cups chicken stock.
Add thyme.
Cover and simmer until soup thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
Stir cream into soup.
Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth.
Season with salt and white pepper.
(Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover reserved bell peppers, remaining corn and soup separately and refrigerate).
Saute reserved bell peppers and remaining 2 1/2 cups corn in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until heated through, about 4 minutes.
Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more stock, if desired.
Ladle soup into bowls.
Garnish with sauteed corn and bell pepper mixture and serve.