Vegetarian Times Issue: November 1, 2008 p.62
This savory chowder is inspired by pastel de choclo, a Chilean corn and meat pie. Feel free to add leftover vegetables to the soup, or you can even turn it into a pot pie by topping the finished soup with leftover Thanksgiving stuffing, then broiling 2 to 3 minutes, or until the stuffing is browned and crispy.
Directions
1. Place broth, celery, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme sprig in large stockpot. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Transfer broth to large bowl, and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in same pot over low heat. Sauté onion 6 to 8 minutes,
or until translucent. Add flour gradually, and cook 5 minutes or until flour mixture is smooth and beginning to dry, stirring constantly. Add reserved broth gradually, until blended with flour. Stir in potatoes and chopped thyme. Raise heat to medium-low, and bring to a simmer. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add corn and vegan turkey, reduce heat to low, and cook 7 to 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with cayenne pepper to taste. Serve with extra lime wedges, if desired.
I can't say enough about how great this chowder is. I made it tonight as it was cold and rainy out and it seemed a fitting meal. I couldn't find fake turkey so I used some meatless sausage I had on hand. I also completely missed the tomatoes when I made the grocery list. I skipped both the bay leaf and the thyme. Even with the changes and omissions, it was delicious. I am not normally the cook in our house, and I was able to make this dish with confidence. It's very hardy. It had a pretty strong lime flavor, which I loved. I will definitely make it again and try to adhere more closely to the recipe. Even my toddler ate a few bites!
This chowder is delicious. It takes a while to chop all of the ingredients, but it's totally worth it. I didn't add the lime, but stuck to the recipe otherwise and wouldn't change a thing. This is the perfect meal for a cold winter day.