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Salmon-and-Corn Chowder with Lima Beans
© Melanie Acevedo

Salmon-and-Corn Chowder with Lima Beans

Contributed by Quick From Scratch One-Dish Meals
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST

Where most chowders have milk as their base, this one uses chicken stock and pureed corn, with a little half-and-half stirred in just before serving to make it nice and creamy.

  1. 1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
  2. 1 onion, chopped
  3. 1 1/4 pounds boiling potatoes (about 3), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
  4. 3 cups canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
  5. 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
  6. 2 2/3 cups fresh (cut from about 4 ears) or frozen corn kernels
  7. 1 pound skinless salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
  8. 1 cup frozen baby lima beans, thawed
  9. 1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
  10. 3/4 cup half-and-half
  11. 2 tablespoons chopped chives or scallion tops
  1. In a large pot, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pot. Add the onion and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the potatoes, broth, bacon, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to the pot and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Put the corn kernels in a food processor and pulse six to eight times to chop. Add the corn to the pot and cook, covered, until the potatoes and corn are just done, about 5 minutes longer.
  3. Add the salmon, lima beans, the remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and the pepper. Bring just back to a simmer; the fish should be just cooked through. Stir in the half-and-half and serve the chowder topped with the chives.
Notes strong>Variation
If you're not a lima-bean fan, substitute another vegetable, such as petite peas.

Suggested Pairing

Pinot Blanc from Alsace is delicious, plentiful, and inexpensive. It will provide a lovely backdrop for the chowder's rich flavor and texture.