Winter Bread Chowder
A hearty winter soup served in bread bowls, featuring tender corn, potatoes, and onions, infused with spices and herbs for a comforting meal perfect for cold days.
Ingredients
- 2 round loaves dense bread (rye, sourdough, pumpernickel) ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp butter or margarine
- 1 small yellow onion ⓘ
- 10 oz frozen corn or fresh corn removed from cob ⓘ
- 1/2 small green pepper ⓘ
- 1 medium potato ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cream or half and half ⓘ
- 1 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp salt ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp pepper ⓘ
- several sprigs fresh parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare the loaves of bread by slicing off the tops and scooping out the insides to create bread bowls.
- Chop the yellow onion and green pepper.
- Saute the chopped onion and green pepper in butter until tender.
- Stir in the corn, chopped potato, cream or half and half, and chicken broth; heat to a simmer.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add hot pepper flakes to taste and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Place the hollowed bread loaves on large serving platters.
- Pour the hot soup into the bread bowls.
- Garnish with sprigs of fresh parsley.
- Serve with bread tops for dipping.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought. If you don't have cream, you can substitute with whole milk or a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk. For added texture, include vegetables like carrots or celery. If you prefer a spicier chowder, add some diced jalapeños or hot sauce. Experiment with different types of bread for unique flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chowder hot, garnished with fresh parsley. For a complete meal, pair it with a side salad, like Chicken-Pepper Salad, or some crusty bread for dipping. This chowder also works well as a starter for a cozy dinner, especially alongside dishes like Easy Baked Chicken.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to prevent the chowder from thickening too much. Warm it gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Winter Bread Chowder contains roughly 453 calories, with 19g protein, 83g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (112% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (97% of the Daily Value), and potassium (66% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 671mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! While rye, sourdough, and pumpernickel are traditional choices, you can use any dense bread that can hold the chowder. Consider experimenting with ciabatta or even a hearty whole grain bread for a unique twist.
How can I make this chowder vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You can enhance the flavors by adding more herbs and spices, and consider using a variety of vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for added depth.
Can I freeze the chowder?
It's not recommended to freeze this chowder as dairy can separate when thawed. However, if you omit the cream and freeze just the vegetable mixture, you can add fresh cream when reheating. This ensures a creamy texture when served.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).