Corn Chowder with Tomato Raft (Serves 6)

Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Why This Chowder Stands Out:

✅ Dairy-free creaminess from blended corn + hemp
✅ Protein boost with hemp seeds + oil
✅ Summer showcase for fresh corn
✅ Restaurant-worthy presentation

Ingredients:

For the Chowder:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 tbsp minced garlic

• 1 large Spanish onion, diced

• 2 bay leaves

• 15 ears corn (kernels cut off; ~6 cups) (or 4 cups frozen)

• 2 medium potatoes, diced

• 1 bunch scallions, sliced

• 8 cups water or vegetable broth

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tbsp dried thyme

• 3 tbsp hempseed oil

• ½ cup hemp hearts

• Salt + pepper to taste

For the Tomato Raft:

• 3 plum tomatoes, halved

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Salt + pepper to taste

Garnish:

• ½ bunch scallions, thinly sliced

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Build Flavor Base

1. Heat oil in large pot; sauté garlic, onion, and bay leaves until translucent (~5 mins).

2. Simmer Chowder

1. Add corn, potatoes, scallions, and water; boil 20 mins until potatoes soften.

2. Remove bay leaves.

3. Blend & Finish

1. Purée half the soup until coarse; return to pot.

2. Stir in cumin, parsley, thyme, hemp hearts.

3. Simmer 15 mins; whisk in hempseed oil.

4. Prepare Tomato Raft

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Toss tomato halves with olive oil, garlic, S+P.

3. Roast on wire rack 15-20 mins (not 2 mins as original) until caramelized.

5. Serve

• Ladle chowder into bowls.

• Float tomato raft on each.

• Garnish with scallions + extra hemp seeds.

Pro Tips:

🔹 Corn trick: Scrape cobs with spoon after cutting kernels to extract "milk."
🔹 Creamier version: Blend ¼ cup cashews with the soup.
🔹 Make ahead: Chowder tastes better next day!

Health Benefits:

• Corn: Lutein for eye health

• Hemp: Complete protein + omega-3s

• Garlic: Allicin fights infections

Serving Suggestions:

• Summer lunch: With crusty bread

• Elegant starter: Serve in shallow bowls

• Meal prep: Freezes well for 2 months

"Sweet corn and nutty hemp—a match made in soup heaven, with a tomato crown fit for summer royalty." 🌽👑