Gwen's Original Corn Chowder

I guess we're all a little soup crazy right now, what with the freezing weather. This certainly isn't a low-calorie recipe, but it sure is filling and delicious. You don't need to wait until the Super Bowl to serve this soup either, although that's how it came to be posted. A few years ago, Cathy at Noble Pig had a Sam's Club Super Bowl recipe contest. The photos of the winning recipes were amazing and I saved this particular soup recipe as it looked delicious. It was entered by Gwen from Good To Be Me. And yes, it really is fantastic. I mean...bacon, corn, cheese, potatoes, onion....Wow! And so thick your spoon will stand up in it. A hearty meal to be sure.

Gwen's Original Corn Chowder
From Gwen at Good To Be Me

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt 
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
3 large potatoes, cooked, peeled and cubed 
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 large package frozen corn, thawed
4-1/2 cups milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream

Method:
In a soup pot melt butter and add the onion and garlic; sauté onion until it is clear.  Whisk in flour, salt and pepper.  Whisk for a while until smooth and then, while stirring, gradually add milk and chicken broth.  Add in potatoes, bacon, corn and parsley flakes.
Continue to heat over medium to low heat, stirring frequently until chowder has thickened, about 20 minutes.  Then cover and cook over a low heat for an additional 10 or 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked. Stir frequently so the bottom doesn't burn. Remove from heat.  Whisk in grated cheese and sour cream, stir until cheese has melted.  Serve in hollowed out bread bowls.