Quick and Easy Crab and Corn Chowder

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 slices thick bacon, cooked and broken into 1/4 inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 bell pepper
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded hash brown potatoes
• 8-10 ounces crabmeat
• 1 cup corn kernel
• salt and pepper
• hot sauce (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   In a 3 to 4 quart saucepan on medium high heat melt butter.

2. 2

   Add cooked bacon pieces, onion, bell pepper, celery, and thyme.

3. 3

   Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce if used and cook about 5 minutes.

4. 4

   In a bowl mix flour and Old Bay Seasoning

5. 5

   Stir in half of flour and seasoning mixture into the saucepan stiring well

6. 6

   Add remaining mixture and continue to stir. Should become almost like a paste.

7. 7

   Slowly whisk in a little of the Half & Half at a time so as to keep temperature up, blending well.

8. 8

   Slowly whisk in the chicken broth the same way.

9. 9

   Cook until it begins to bubble ad then stir in the hash brown potatoes.

10. 10

    Simmer till potatoes are cooked and chowder thickens till it just coats the back of a spoon.

11. 11

    Add crab meat a little at a time and then add corn kernels.

12. 12

    Simmer just another minute being careful not to overcook crab meat.