Thursday, June 21, 2012

Summer Corn Soup with Padron Peppers and Bacon



Living in the Bay Area, we are fortunate to have access to the delicious sweet corn from Brentwood. The season has just begun. The corn is sweet, tender and simply delicious. Our farmers markets are abounding with this summer treat. Often three ears of corn are only two dollars – what a bargain.






I could not resist over the weekend to pack my reusable farmers market bag with this summer indulgence. I guess I could have simply grilled or cooked along with adding a touch of butter but I had other ideas for these beauties. Soup was calling my name. Summer corn soup is one of my favorite things to make at this time of year. I created this super simple summer corn soup recipe and it was just perfect to ring the summer season in.


One of my obsessions, yes a true obsession is pardon peppers. Have you tried them? I cooked them in a hot cast iron skillet with a bit of olive oil until lightly charred then season with sea salt. They have so many flavors and with a crisp glass of white wine, I am in foodie heaven. At the market I bought probably almost three pounds – okay went a bit crazy. We had a lot as appetizers but also knew adding to this summer corn soup would elevate the flavors and be a natural pairing to corn. Of course, adding bacon never hurts.

With today as the first day of summer, this is a perfect dish to kick off the season!


Summer Corn Soup with Padron Peppers and Bacon

Makes four servings

6 Ears of corn (white or yellow)
1 Large white onion, diced
8 C. Chicken Stock
2 T. Olive oil
Salt and pepper
10 Slices Applewood Smoked Bacon, cooked crispy and sliced
14 Padron Peppers, charred in cast iron skilled and sliced
Chives, for garnish

In a large pot add the olive oil and diced onions over medium heat. Stir and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes or until translucent. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile remove the husks from the corn. You will want to use a large bowl to place the corn cob upright to remove the kernels. Use a sharp knife and slice down on each side of the corn to remove all kernels into the bowl. Repeat until all cobs are complete. Proceed to break each cob in half.

Add the chicken stock to the pot and heat on medium heat. Add the cobs that you have removed the kernels from. This will add additional flavor the base of the soup. Heat for about 30 minutes. Remove the cobs and let cool, then using the sharp knife remove any additional kernels portions from the cobs and add to the stock.

Next add the original kernels to the soup and cook on medium for about one hour. Use an emulsion blender to puree the soup.

In a cast iron skillet add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat on high. Add the pardon peppers and cook until charred slightly. You will want to use thongs to toss frequently. The process should take 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the cast iron skillet and let cool. Next you will want to slice up until the stem and add to the soup while saving a few for garnishing the top of each bowl of soup.

Cook the bacon until crispy and cool. Slice into small pieces and add to the soup while leaving some for garnish.

Taste the soup and season with additional salt and pepper prior to serving. Garnish each bowl with chopped chives, pardon peppers and bacon.

18 comments:

  1. wow what a great soup to welcome summer love it

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  2. Yum! my favorites, Brentwood corn and padron peppers together in your luscious soup! Don't you just love the market in the Summer? Have a wonderful weekend;-)

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  3. Hello, summer! There's something about corn that really reminds me of summer! However, I have not tried padron peppers yet. Have to look for these in our farmers' market.

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  4. I love summer corn and I always pick up those peppers at the market too - so delicious grilled. Love that you paired the two in this soup. Hope you're having a nice week!

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  5. I have never used padron peppers. My husband didn't need dinner tonight, so I actually made a corn & chicken chowder as per my kids' request. I used canned corn but should have used fresh one like you used! Looks beautiful and delicious!

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  6. I have never heard of a padron pepper. My husband is a huge pepper fan though, so I am going to have to keep and eye out for them. This soup sounds perfect for the fresh corn of summer!

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  7. One of the requested soups at home is corn & chicken chowder and you version sounds delicious! I finally found an alternative to mine. Thanks for sharing this!

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  8. This really look fantastic and fresh! Loving the recipe!

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  9. I can't remember the last time I had corn soup--I loved it growing up. Your version sounds so refreshing with those lovely padron peppers. Yum!

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  10. WOW, I simply looooooove your blog :D
    I just can't get enough of all these yummy recipes. The only thing that would be better is a button of "Taste" or "Have a bite", lol, just a wish..

    Have a fabulous day, xx
    Loly
    http://abudhabifood.blogspot.com/

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  11. I have never tried padron peppers! You have me very intrigued. This is gorgeous.

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  12. I'm waiting impatiently in anticipation of our first sweet corn of the season. Your soup looks fabulous..I love the corn and bacon combo...YUM!

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  13. Your corn soup sounds terrific. I don't think we get pardon peppers on the east coast. The markets are just starting to get fresh corn...5 for 99cents.

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  14. Oh, I agree, summer corn soup is just the thing for this time of year, but it's your addition of pardon peppers that has me especially giddy. Love that! I'll have to try it, for sure! Hope you're enjoying your Sunday, Lisa :)

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  15. Corn, bacon and peppers are lovely in this soup, love the flavor combo. I also liked learning to put the cobs in the broth to add more corn flavor to the soup. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Lisa, I am obsessed with Padrons too. And we cook them exactly the same way.
    I have to say I started drooling a bit as I opened your post this morning. Fresh corn, bacon and padrons... that sounds like heaven!
    xxoo
    E

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  17. That sounds like an amazing mix of summer flavors. We do the same with our corn cobs. Delicious!

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  18. is it spicy? could i omit the pardon peppers or can i substitute it with red/green peppers

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