THE BEST CORN
CHOWDER
NOTE: Buy the absolute freshest corn you can find, and
use it the day you bring it home.
SERVES 6
6 ears corn, husks and silks removed
6 cups homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
4 ounces salt pork or slab bacon, cut into ½-inch cubes
(optional)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced or grated on a
Microplane (about 2 teaspoons)
1 to 2 russet (baking) potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch
dice (about 1½ cups)
Kosher salt
2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
Freshly ground black pepper
Sugar (if necessary)