Sweet Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon

I have been a care giver to my elderly parents for the last 6 or 7 months, and it's hard coming up with recipes that they love and will eat or are able to eat. My mother has been eating sweet potatoes like you wouldn't believe and it's easier for my dad to eat soup rather than slices of meat or things like that. I saw this recipe on The Kitchen I had to give it a try. I basically followed exactly but I also added some dried parsley to the herbs and pretty much doubled the bacon ... Yum

Sweet Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon

Ingredients: 

       2 tablespoons butter

6 to 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into a small dice 

2 cups diced peeled sweet potato

1/2  medium onion, diced 

2 cloves garlic, chopped 

1 small red bell pepper, diced 

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried sage  

1 bay leaf 

                1 Tablespoon dried parsley

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons yellow curry powder 

1/2 package frozen sweet petit frozen corn

2 cups chicken stock 

1 cup heavy cream 

1/4 cup minced chives (opt. can use green onion tops)

Directions: 

In a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the bacon and cook until crispy and most of the fat is rendered, about 8 minutes. Set the bacon aside for later use, leaving the fat in the pot.

In the same pot over medium heat, saute the sweet potato, shallots, garlic and bell pepper, stirring frequently, until the shallots are tender and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the thyme, sage and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Add the flour and curry to the vegetables and stir until incorporated. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the corn and chicken stock, bring to a simmer and cook, covered, until the sweet potato is tender, another 20 to 25 minutes. Add the cream and cook a few minutes more till hot.  Season with salt and pepper.

Plate into individual bowls and garnish with the crispy bacon and chives.