Recipe by Loren Larsen
Popcorn Chowder sounds like something straight out of left field, but trust the recipe; it is oddly amazing, and it all starts with a bit of popcorn.
This soup is creamy, developed, and has popcorn. While it seems like our favorite crunchy, salty movie snack doesn’t fit into the soup category, it actually does in an amazing way. Toasted corn kernels added a great-tasting corn element to the soup without adding extra liquid.
The popcorn, once popped, is simmered with aromatics like onion and garlic. All of the ingredients cook more alongside white wine, cream, and milk. When the popcorn has broken down and become soft, you go ahead and purée the mixture.
The final addition of browned butter drives home that roasted flavor.
These toasted notes from the popcorn and browned butter are a great match to the cream-rich elements of the broth.
The flavors are complex without being confusing. You taste the onion, garlic, popcorn, wine, and cream; everything is on full display in the best possible way!
Popcorn Chowder
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Fresh corn, potato, and green onion, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
- In a saucepan brown 3 tablespoons of butter until the water has evaporated and the butter is golden in color and nutty in aroma, set aside.
- In a large pot heat up the oil and add in the popcorn kernels. Cover the pot with a lid and let the popcorn kernels pop.
- Lower the heat to medium and add in remaining 3 tablespoons butter alongside the onion and garlic, stirring to combine.
- Add in white wine, cooking until it reduces, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in heavy cream and milk and cook for an additional few minutes or until the popcorn is broken down.
- Blend the mixture until completely smooth. Mix in browned butter, season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with corn, popcorn, or green onion, and enjoy!