Corn Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 strip bacon, or 1 teaspoon bacon fat
• 1/2 large yellow onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
• 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup small diced carrot
• 1/2 cup small diced celery
• 4-5 ears of sweet corn, kernels removed from the cobs (about 3 cups), cobs reserved (see steps for taking corn off the cob)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 1/2 cups milk, whole or low fat
• 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and large (1-inch) diced (about 3 cups)
• 3 teaspoons of Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves