Layered Corn, Black Bean and Chorizo Chowder
"Yes layered soup, well that was their name ... "Creamy Corn, Chorizo and Bean Tortilla Chowder." It was at a small little Mexican restaurant in Taos, NM, about 10 years ago and it was amazing. The table next to me ordered it and it looked so interesting I had to try it. The soup was topped with small piles of the chorizo, avocado and olives, and cheese on top this beautiful creamy pale yellow corn chowder and then they took a bite and the bottom layer of the soup was black beans. It was picture perfect served in this big wide rimmed white bowl, it was almost to pretty to eat. Well it incorporates a spicy layer of black beans, onions and roasted jalapenos, topped with a perfect creamy corn chowder and then topped with small piles of the chorizzo, diced avocados with olives and a pepper jack cheese. A squeeze of lime and cilantro. Take advantage of cooking the chorizo, black beans and chowder well ahead of time so when it comes time to serve ... just reheat and plate up. I serve this with my chicken enchiladas with a red sauce. This is a great dish for friends or just family and it is really simple. Make some margaritas and time for party."
- Ready In:
- 2hrs
- Ingredients:
- 32
- Yields:
-
8 bowls
- Serves:
- 8
ingredients
-
Beans
- 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans (drained not rinsed)
- 2 jalapenos, roasted (ribs and seeds removed and chopped)
- 1 medium onion, chopped fine
- 3 tablespoons salsa
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder (more according to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- salt
- pepper
-
Corn Chowder
- 1 (16 ounce) bag frozen corn
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large yukon gold potato (peeled and diced)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups light cream
- 3 cups vegetable broth (if you want it a bit thinner, just add a little more broth)
- 5 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine
- 3 scallions, chopped fine
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper
-
Toppings
- 1 1⁄2 cups chorizo sausage, sauteed (Mexican chorizo not spanish, cured chorizo)
- 1 avocado, diced in 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can sliced black olives
- 1 lime (1/2 for the avocado, the remaining 1/2 squeezed on the soup)
- salt
- pepper
- 2 cups monterey jack pepper cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, fine chopped
- tortilla chips
directions
- Jalapenos -- I roast mine just on a small piece of aluminum foil like 4x4 in a 450 degree oven for 10 minutes, turning often. No oil, no seasoning, just put them in the oven. They will get nice and charred all on their own. Then remove and put in a bowl or coffee cup or small plate covered with plastic wrap and 10-15 minutes later, they are done. The skin pulls right off and you can remove the seeds and ribs and chop. Just set to the side. You can be doing this as you saute the chorizo. These will be added to the beans in just a few minutes.
- Chorizo -- Remove the chorizo from the casing and brown in a small saute pan on medium high heat until golden brown. Remove once golden brown and no longer pink and then transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any grease or drippings. Transfer to a small bowl or tupperware and put in the refrigerator for later.
- Beans -- Now, I like to reserve a tablespoon of the chorizo drippings to cook the beans and onions in, but get rid of the rest - you don't want too much grease. Add the onions and garlic to the chorizo drippings on medium high heat and saute for just a couple of minutes until the onions start to soften. Add the beans and jalapenos, salsa, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper to taste. Cook on medium heat to combine all the flavors. MY TRICK -- just take a fork and mash a few of the beans up. Not all, just some. It adds a nice texture and takes just a seconds. You don't have to, but I think it adds a lot. Ok, these are done too. Just remove to a bowl or a tupperware container and put in the refrigerator for later.
- Chowder -- This is such a easy soup. In a large pot, melt the butter and saute the onion, potato and garlic until slightly soft. Add in the corn (reserving 1 cup) and cook on medium high heat, I like to not brown the vegetables, but I do like to get just a little color and a good pan saute for just a couple of minutes. Then I add in the flour and stir well to combine. Cook just another minute then add in the broth and cook about 10 minutes until the vegetables, especially the potatoes are soft.
- I like to use my immersion blender right in the in the pot, but you can transfer the mixture to a food processor or even or regular blender. You want the corn mixture to become nice and creamy. Return the corn to the pot if you did not use an immersion blender and add the cream cheese, and light cream, the remaining 1 cup of corn, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Then cook 20 minutes on simmer just to blend all the flavors. Also the natural starch of the potato and the corn will help to thicken the dish. Once everything is heated through, check for thickness. If you like yours thinner, by all means, add some more broth. It should be just about right however. I don't like it too thin. I also check again for salt and pepper and add in my scallions and parsley and it's done.
- Toppings -- Dice the avocado in small bite size pieces and toss with the olives, lime juice, a little salt and pepper to taste. Go easy on the salt, there is salt in the chowder and the beans and the olives are also salty.
- Serving -- Heat up both the beans and the chorizo in the microwave. Just 1-2 minutes until heated through. In each serving bowl add 1/2 cup of the beans, then top with the corn chowder. Now on top of the chowder, I like to make three small "piles" of the toppings. A couple of tablespoons of the cheese, a couple of the avocado/olives, and a couple of the chorizzo. Squeeze a little lime over the soup and then garnish with one slice of the lime, a light sprinkle of the cilantro and add a few tortilla chips.
- It is just a "fun" unique soup for entertaining or for dinner with friends. Make a few appetizers and drinks, some of my soup and enchiladas and then a of course dessert. Play some cards on a cold night and just relax. Sometimes a great dinner party doesn't have to be "fancy.".
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Reviews
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Really excellent soup, SarasotaCook! Your recipes are always wonderful and worth the effort. You clearly know your way around the kitchen. I didn't add chorizo but followed the rest of the recipe to the letter. Excellent, excellent. My husband ate 3 bowls. Served with simple cheese and chicken quesadillas.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
SarasotaCook
Sarasota, Florida
<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>
