The Farmhouse Gourmet’s Christmas Chowder

 

1/2 cup diced bacon
2-3 pats butter
drizzle of olive oil
2 cups diced  sweet onion
1 cup carrots, diced
1 celery rib, diced
1 cup red bell pepper diced
2 small  yellow-fleshed potatoes such as Yukon Gold, peeled & diced
1 medium sweet potato peeled & diced
5 cups chicken broth
2 fresh thyme sprigs ( I had to use dried and it was fine)
1 bay leaf
3 cups frozen corn
1 can cream corn
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Cook bacon in a wide 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then add butter, olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper to bacon fat and cook, stirring, until onion is softened, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add all potatoes, broth, and thyme and simmer, covered, until potatoes are just tender, about 15 minutes. Add corn and cream and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add sea salt and pepper, then stir in bacon. You can garnish with chopped tomatoes or chives if you like.