Corn Chowder

*Guest post from Turtle's Mom*

Well, it is finally everyone's favorite season (Fall!) which means that it is time to start making soups and stews.  This corn chowder is great because it still tastes like summer (fresh corn - yum!) but it is a perfect dinner for a chilly night. 

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons of butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups chicken stock 
1/4 cup half and half
2 potatoes
1 stick of celery
1/2 onion
3 ears of corn

Instructions:

First, get all of your vegetable ingredients ready.  Peel and finely chop the potatoes, dice up the onion into small pieces, and dice the celery.  Cut all of the corn off of the cobs.  To soften the potatoes, microwave the pieces in a bowl for about two minutes.  

Now, you'll prepare the base for the chowder.  In a three quart sauce pan, on medium heat, add the olive oil and butter.  When it is melted, add the flour and start whisking immediately.  When it is incorporated into the liquid and looks smooth, add the chicken stock.  Continue whisking.  Then, add the potatoes, celery, onion, and corn.  Cook for about fifteen minutes.  Now, turn off the heat and add the half and half.  Stir together.  The chowder is done!  

Another great thing about this chowder is that it still tastes great if you freeze it and reheat it later on.  If you feel like making a larger batch of it, just pour the extra into serving-sized containers and freeze them for another time when you want a quick meal.