Corn and Cheese Chowder

Missy, here. Since Ruthy mentioned chowder yesterday, it reminded me of a wonderful Corn and Cheese Chowder that I recently made. It's so easy. And very good! I got the original recipe from Food Network while watching Ree Drummond's show. Click here for the original recipe.

Here's my version:

4 Tbs. (1/2 a stick) of butter
1 whole, small onion chopped
3 slices bacon, chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 a large bag of frozen corn (I'd guess about 12 ounces)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups grated cheese (I used Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Italian)
Salt and freshly ground pepper

In large soup pot, melt butter and add onions, cooking until transluscent. Add bacon and cook another minute or so. Add bell pepper and cook a couple of minutes. Add corn and cook until it appears to have thawed.

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables and then stir to combine. Pour chicken broth in and stir well. Allow to thicken for 3 or 4 minutes and then reduce heat to low.

Stir in the half-and-half, cover and simmer about 15 minutes until it thickens.

Stir in the cheese until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve and enjoy!! This is so delicious! Thank you, Ree, for this fantastic recipe!