Creamy Street Corn & Smoked Sausage Chowder

Whelp, it has been a hot minute or two since I last posted aye!?! This gal totally needed a lil mental vacay. Thy wretched polar vortex really had me in a bit of a cold funk to put it mildly @!&*. I just wanted to curl up under like 3 blankets, with mittens & earmuffs on and hibernate until April lol! DEAD SERIOUS though, I was getting a tad edgy. Thank goodness, however, the sun has shown its' glorious face and the snow has stopped falling (at least for now) because I had one rad case of winter blues/blahs brewing up!! It's still only like 20 degrees out in the OLE MW... but after weeks of subzero temps, 20 degrees feels fantabulous like a tropical heatwave almost. This beautiful sunny day has got me ready to bust out my sandals, do a little happy jig, and was a MUCH NEEDED REMINDER THAT THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Before too long we'll be Sprung! HECK to the YES. Speaking of warm happy stuff.... this cozy, comforting, creamy Mexican Street Corn Chowder is like a fuzzy poncho for your cold soul! For real though. This easy, zesty chowder has all the yummy flavors of Mexican Street Corn on the cob plus smoked sausage, chili beans and so much more. HELLO GORGEOUS! YUP, this chowder thawed my icy cold heart and made me do a double take ;) Lucky for you folks... I'm a sharing/caring person :D but don't yawl come crying to me when this soup rocks your world; you've been warned :)

The cooking culprits aka ingredients:

• 2 cans creamed corn
• 1 pack smoked sausage 
• 1 can chili beans or red kidney beans (the ones I used were canned in hot sauce, but if not drain them)
• 1-2 Jalapeno Peppers seeds and all finely diced (or if you don't do heat too well, 1 red bell or canned green chilies would do too)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 cups reduced fat milk
• 1/2 cup Mayo (low fat)
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 1 can water (+2/3 cup for sausage)
• 2 TBSP Butter
• 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder (salt and pepper to taste)
• Opt~ 1 TBSP jarred pepper juice, lime /lemon juice, or white vinegar (just to cut some of the sweet)  

First, slice each smoked sausage in half lengthwise twice and slice the halves horizontally into little spoon sized chunks (1/2 inch thick or so). Place the sausage chunks in a large pot w/ 2/3 cup water and them sprinkle with 1/4-1/2 tsp of above the mentioned spices. Cook on medium high heat for about 10 minutes or so until all the water is absorbed.

While that cooks, dice up your peppers and onion. Once all the water is evaporated, toss in the diced pepper, onions, and 2 TBS butter. Cook it for about 10-15 minutes or until the veggies are tender and the sausage is nicely seared.

Helpful tip when cooking with hot peppers~ Always taste test the heat of the pepper prior to tossing it into ANYTHING. Take a seed and touch it to the very tip of your tongue briefly and you'll know what kinda heat your really dealing w/ b4 it is too late lol! I had originally planned to use 2 whole peppers, but only did 1.5 once I realized the fierceness of the pepper, good thing I did cut back because my fella would have been crying hehehe!

Once the sausage and peppers are looking and smelling delish, dump in all the canned goods, 1 (15 oz) can of water, 2 cups milk, and the remaining dry spices. (I filled each creamed corn can about half way w/ water and sloshed it around a bit to get all those can corn clingers out lol)

 Reduce heat to medium low, cover pot with lid, and cook for about 45 minutes or longer stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The longer the better, but if you're in a crunch for time a half hour aught do just fine ;)

Next, reduce the heat to low/simmer & stir in the sour cream, mayo, and pepper/lime juice (opt, but recommended) and cook for 15-20 more minutes. (Add additional seasonings to your taste palette preferences)

 

Finally.... Turn that hot little number off, let it cool, and top it with some shredded Mexican Blend Cheese, crushed tortilla chips, cilantro and or whatever spunky toppings you'd prefer! Prepare to depart to feisty flavor town; for real folks, this corn chowder is like a happy, hearty fiesta in your mouth, the kind that makes your taste buds want to tango!  Cha cha cha bomb :)   

Hope you enjoy, Big Hugs, and Thanks for popping in!