Smoked Ham and Corn Chowder

This is one of our favorite soups as the ham brings so much flavor creating a hearty dish. I grew up in a household where we learned to use what was on hand and to creatively use leftovers as entirely different dishes. I tend to substitute ingredients often. That is done more now than ever seeing we live in a rural area as we're not going to drive several miles for a missing ingredient. We shop wisely, keep well-stocked and make do with what we have on hand. Feel free to substitute to fit your taste and enjoy.

Ingredients

Olive Oil

Unsalted butter

Bacon fat (optional)

½ cup diced purple onion

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup diced smoked ham

¼ cup diced peppers

½ cup diced potatoes

1 cup of corn, freshly cut from the cob or frozen

¼ cup chipotle peppers (smoked jalapeno peppers) or a small can of chopped chilies

4 cups chicken broth
½ cup Whipping cream

Optional toppings:

Croutons

Crab meat lumps

Chopped chives

Black pepper

• Using large sauce-pan or Dutch oven, add olive oil and a small amount of unsalted butter to the bottom of the pan, and begin heating it. If desired, can add some bacon fat to add flavor.
• Add diced purple onion and garlic and saute until softened and mostly translucent.
• Next, add 1 cup of diced ham using a flavorful, smoked ham.
• Add 1/4-cup of diced peppers.
• Saute the ingredients over moderate heat.
• Add 1/2-cup of diced potatoes.
• Next, add corn. 
• Add 1/4-cup of chipotle peppers. Chipotle peppers are quite spicy. Chilies are a better option if you do not like foods that are too spicy.
• Continue stirring the ingredients over moderate heat.
• Add chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes minutes.
• Next, add whipping cream. Bring the mixture to a boil again, then reduce to simmer.
• Allow the mixture to simmer for about 50 minutes. If you like, you can puree the ingredients further using a hand-held immersion blender. Avoid over-blending.
• Ladle the soup into bowls.
• Soup may be topped with croutons or lump crab meat. Sprinkle with chopped chives and black pepper. 
• Serve with fresh bread and a salad if desired.