Crushed Tortilla Chips: The Secret Base for Richer Corn Chowder
Ashlie D. Stevens, Senior Food Editor at Salon, shares her perfected recipe for corn chowder, highlighting an unconventional thickening agent: crushed tortilla chips. After months of refining the dish to achieve a creamy, spicy, and indulgent profile, Stevens moved away from traditional potatoes and dairy. Instead, she utilized pantry shortcuts like jarred roasted red peppers, canned green chiles, and coconut cream for a dairy-light base. The protein combination features spicy pork sausage and chicken breast, served over rice. The pivotal innovation occurred when Stevens, lacking masa harina on a weeknight, substituted it with crushed tortilla chips. Stirred into the softened vegetables and blended, the chips dissolved to release starch and fat, transforming the brothy mixture into a glossy, velvety, and cohesive soup. This technique leverages the nixtamalized corn foundation of the chips to enhance depth and texture. The final dish is topped with avocado, crema, and additional chips, representing a culmination of culinary experimentation that prioritizes richness and body through simple, accessible ingredients.
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Crushed Tortilla Chips: The Secret Base for Richer Corn Chowder
Ashlie D. Stevens, Senior Food Editor at Salon, shares her perfected recipe for corn chowder, highlighting an unconventional thickening agent: crushed tortilla chips. After months of refining the dish to achieve a creamy, spicy, and indulgent profile, Stevens moved away from traditional potatoes and dairy. Instead, she utilized pantry shortcuts like jarred roasted red peppers, canned green chiles, and coconut cream for a dairy-light base. The protein combination features spicy pork sausage and chicken breast, served over rice. The pivotal innovation occurred when Stevens, lacking masa harina on a weeknight, substituted it with crushed tortilla chips. Stirred into the softened vegetables and blended, the chips dissolved to release starch and fat, transforming the brothy mixture into a glossy, velvety, and cohesive soup. This technique leverages the nixtamalized corn foundation of the chips to enhance depth and texture. The final dish is topped with avocado, crema, and additional chips, representing a culmination of culinary experimentation that prioritizes richness and body through simple, accessible ingredients.
salon