Every summer when the Carolina shrimp are in season, Nana’s, which is one of my favorite restaurants in Durham, makes a delicious shrimp chowder that is the inspiration for this light and succulent soup. Nana’s version is rich and creamy—closer to a traditional potato chowder—but because I love the sweetness of the corn and shrimp together, I make mine thinner, more like a corn chowder. To give this dish extra oomph, I add the shrimp at the very end, so they are tender and extra sweet, and top with Crispy Fried Oysters Four Ways (page 117).

　　

Ingredients

makes about 3 quarts / serves 8 to 10

　　6 ears corn, shucked, cobs and trimmings reserved for broth

　　2 tablespoons olive oil

　　1 onion, diced

　　3 russet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), chopped

　　2 celery stalks, diced

　　1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced

　　1 jalapeño pepper, cored, seeded, and diced

　　3 garlic cloves, smashed and minced

　　2 quarts Fast and Fresh Broth (recipe follows)

　　2 tablespoons fresh thyme, plus more for garnish

　　2 bay leaves

　　2 teaspoons sea salt, plus more to taste

　　1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

　　10 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish

　　2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells reserved for broth

　　

Step 1

Cut the corn from the cobs into a large bowl and scrape the stripped cobs with the back of the knife to release the juices into the bowl. Reserve 3 of the cobs.

　　

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until soft and light brown. Add the potatoes, celery, bell pepper, and jalapeño and cook, stirring frequently, for another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook and stir for 1 minute more.

　　

Step 3

Add the broth, reserved corn cobs, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper and bring the soup to a low boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.

　　

Step 4

Add the corn kernels and basil and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes more. Remove and discard the corn cobs and bay leaves and, using an immersion blender, standing blender, or food processor, puree half the soup until smooth. (If using a blender or food processor, allow the soup to cool slightly before blending in batches.) Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan and stir to mix and thicken the soup.

　　

Step 5

Add the shrimp and let simmer for about 3 minutes, until the shrimp are bright pink and just cooked through. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately garnished with thyme and basil.

　　

Fast and Fresh Broth

Step 6

Place the reserved shrimp shells; corn cobs; onion, celery, pepper trimmings; and herb stems in a large pot with about 3 quarts cold water and bring to a low boil.

　　

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes. Note that most of the flavors from shrimp shells and vegetables cook out after about 30 minutes, but bones take a little more time. If using bones in place of shells, let the broth cook about 30 minutes longer.

　　

Step 8

Strain the broth, discarding the shells and trimmings, and proceed with your soup recipe.

　　

SARA’S SWAPS

Step 9

To give this soup a more traditional, smoky chowder flavor, add 2 slices chopped, thick-cut bacon when you add the onion. Alternatively, put the focus on oysters rather than shrimp by omitting the shrimp from the chowder and garnishing with Crispy Fried Oysters Four Ways (page 117). Or, take a simpler, fresher route and garnish with chopped summer tomatoes or Simple Lump Crab Salad (page 111).

　　Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.