Corn was one of the staple crops that daddy planted every year. We looked forward to fresh corn on the cob.

Naturally, the main crop was grown for our livestock, but we children enjoyed it first, while it was young and tender and oh so good. We made fresh vegetable soup, and of course, we used corn.

Mama always made fried corn. I’ve made fried corn many times, but it never tasted as good as Mama’s.

After I left home, I found this recipe for corn chowder — can’t remember where. The first time I cooked this, I used celery and no garlic, but I prefer its taste with garlic. One of the many nice things about cooking with fresh vegetables is the option to use ingredients you like and make it your own.

Baldwin County sweet corn is about to be out of season, so enjoy it while it is available! This recipe for corn chowder is made using fresh ingredients from your garden or your local vegetable stand. Your main ingredients are plentiful and fresh all at the same time — corn, onions, and potatoes. So get out and enjoy vegetables while they are plentiful, fresh and yummy!

Corn Chowder

Ingredients

• 6 ears sweet fresh corn
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup water
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 3 cups milk

Preparation

Cut corn off the cob and set aside. In a large pan, saute onion, garlic and celery in butter until transparent. Add potatoes, water, bouillon, pepper and corn and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 18 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

Combine flour and milk until smooth and gradually stir into soup. Return to boil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly.

Serve hot, good with fresh sliced tomatoes.

From the scriptures

Spiritual food is essential for all of us, as well as physical food. We should nourish our mind and feed our spirit daily just as we feed our body. To memorize a weekly Bible verse is a fabulous spiritual food. Try it, and you will see how easy it is to memorize scripture.

Our memory verse for this week is Matthew 10:28 (ESV):“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”