The Best Corn Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 ears of corn, husked
• 8 bacon slices, roughly chopped
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped thyme leaves
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 cups whole milk
• 3 medium new potatoes (1½ lb.), peeled and cut into ½-in. cubes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup basil leaves, for garnish