Creamy Corn Bisque

Welcome to Healthy Eating Month at Mignardise!
I was all psyched up to really eat well this month - low fat, low on white foods (except cauliflower) and vitamin-packed. Then we got another snowstorm and the kids were home from school. So what did I do to cope? I took a coffee cake out of the freezer and ate it, sliver by sliver.

But now the roads are plowed and I'm back on track. For dinner tonight I made a corn bisque that tasted rich and creamy but had exactly two tablespoons of heavy cream in the whole thing. It would be fabulous when fresh corn is in season, but it was still delicious using frozen. And it got two thumbs up from the peanut gallery.

This recipe doesn't make a huge amount, but could easily be doubled. But remember, an important part of healthy eating is portion control. Try serving this with a big green salad, topped with some nuts for protein.

Creamy Corn Bisque, adapted from a Canyon Ranch recipe

2 Tbsps. leeks, finely diced


1/2 cup onion, finely diced

2 Tbsps. celery, finely diced

1 1/2 tsps. olive oil

2 tsps. whole wheat flour ( I always use ww pastry flour - it's finer)

1 cup diced potatoes

1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

2 cups (plus one more) low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 bay leaf (fresh, if you can find it)

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. no-salt seasoning, like Mrs. Dash

a few drops of hot pepper sauce, or to taste

salt and pepper, to taste

2 Tbsps. heavy cream

1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Saute leeks, onions and celery until soft.
2 Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
3. Add 1 1/2 cups of broth and remaining ingredients, EXCEPT cream. Cook 15-20 mins. or until potatoes are tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Discard bay leaf.
4. Transfer 3/4 of soup mixture to blender and puree until smooth.( At this point you may want to add more broth to thin it out a bit. I probably used another 3/4 cup).
5. Add puree to remaining ingredients. Stir in heavy cream, and reheat on low if necessary.
Garnish with some chopped parsley or chives, if desired.

Coffee cake makes a nice dessert. Just a sliver.