Howdy all! I hope you had a nice weekend and are staying warm wherever you are. It’s a nippy negative five degrees outside as I type this – aka you couldn’t pay me enough money to step outside my door and into the howling wind, which scared the bejeezus out of me a couple nights ago!
Ben and I watched a particularly haunting episode of 48 hours featuring an insane arsonist this weekend, and the creepy wind shaking the house plus a smoke alarm with a low battery that started beeping in our bedroom at 3am left us both wide awake in the wee hours of the morning. Dunh-dunh-dunnnh! Sorry but what are the odds that we watch a show about a guy who sets fire to people’s houses when he’s mad, then our smoke alarm goes off 5 hours later?
And while we’re on the topic, why do smoke alarms always seem to go off in the middle of the night? That was seriously the fifth time in as many years that that’s happened to us. Riddle me that?!
Anyway, control what you can. Since it’s bitterly cold out there right now I made a big pot of perfectly spicy Cheesy Pepper Jack Potato Chowder to warm up with this weekend.
Cheesy Pepper Jack Potato Chowder is thick, creamy, cheesy and just slightly spicy with the addition of both shredded Pepper Jack cheese and red chili pepper flakes in the ingredient list. I am NOT a spice lover – I order a “0” on the spice scale at our favorite Thai place in town – but they provide just the right amount of warmth in this recipe. It’s so, so good. Comforting, cozy, and gluten-free, too! The perfect chowder to ladle up then lay down by the fire with.
Plus, there’s bacon!
Start with the aforementioned bacon. Crisp 8 slices bacon in a big soup pot over medium heat. Transfer the crisped bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain then remove all but 1 Tablespoon bacon grease from the pot.
Remember, the easiest way to discard bacon grease is to spoon it into a foil-lined bowl then throw it away once it cools (or save it, if that’s your jam!)
To the bacon grease add 1 chopped celery rib and 1 large chopped shallot. Season with pepper then saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Next add 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes and 2 cloves minced garlic then saute for 30 more seconds. You can add more or less red chili pepper flakes depending on how spicy you like your food. I found 1/4 teaspoon to be perfect for me.
Next add 1-3/4 cups chicken broth and 2 cups 2% milk.Â
Now add 4 cups Southern Style frozen hash browns. I LOVE using frozen hash browns in this chowder recipe, vs cutting up potatoes myself, because, well, it’s as easy as opening a bag. Plus they cook in no time at all.
“Southern Style” simply means “cubed” hash browns, btw, and you don’t need to thaw them before adding to the chowder.
Alrighty, next add TONS of freshly cracked pepper to the chowder then crank the heat to bring it to a boil.
While that’s happening, whisk together 2 Tablespoons gluten-free or all-purpose flour (I like Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free White Rice Flour for thickening soups and sauces) with 1/4 cup chicken broth in a small bowl until smooth. Once the chowder has come to a boil, drizzle the mixture in and give a big stir to combine, then turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer until the chowder has thickened and potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, shred the chowder’s namesake cheese – 8oz Pepper Jack. You can hand shred with a box grater or use a food processor with a grating blade to make things go super quick. I would definitely recommend grating fresh vs buying pre-grated cheese, as pre-grated doesn’t melt quite as smooth.
Once the chowder has thickened and the potatoes are tender, remove the pot from the heat then add the cheese about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until smooth before adding the next batch.
Finally, stir in half the bacon and let the chowder sit and thicken for about 5 minutes.
Ladle the chowder into bowls then top with the remaining bacon and sliced fresh green onions. Perfection!
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Cheesy Pepper Jack Potato Chowder
Description
Gluten-free Cheesy Pepper Jack Potato Chowder is thick, creamy, and just spicy enough.
Ingredients
- 8 strips bacon (1/2lb), chopped
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- 1 large shallot or 1/2 small onion, chopped
- pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (or more or less)
- 2 Tablespoons gluten-free or all-purpose flour (see notes for brand used)
- 2 cups chicken broth, divided
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 4 cups Southern-Style frozen hash browns
- 8oz freshly shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped
Directions
- In a small bowl whisk together 2 Tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup chicken broth then set aside.
- Heat a large soup pot over medium heat then add chopped bacon and cook until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain then remove all but 1 Tablespoon bacon grease from the pot. Add celery and shallots, season with pepper, and then saute until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and red chili pepper flakes then saute for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add remaining 1-3/4 cups chicken broth, milk, hash browns, and lots of freshly cracked pepper to the pot then turn heat up to high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Slowly drizzle in flour/chicken broth mixture then stir to combine. Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until chowder has thickened and potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
- Remove pot from heat then add shredded cheese about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until completely smooth before adding the next batch. Stir in 1/2 the cooked bacon then serve with remaining chopped bacon, and chopped green onions.
Notes
- I like Bob's Red Mill White Rice Flour for thickening soups and sauces.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Like I said – total comfort food! I love how luscious this chowder is, with creamy potato cubes bobbing in the warm, cheesy broth. Plus, any chowder that passes the spoon test is a winner in my book. Enjoy!
Carrie 12.30.2013
It’s 70 and sunny here in Scottsdale. Come on down. But, It gets chilly in the evenings (40’s) so chowder sounds DELISH.
Renae 12.30.2013
Looks really good!! Can you tell me what size of food processor you’d recommend? A 3cup one seems small but a 7 cup one seems so big. It will just be used for normal kitchen uses, and maybe pie crust. Thanks!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.03.2014
I have a 14 cup one!
shobelyn 12.30.2013
This looks really delicious. I can taste the creaminess and I can smell the deliciousness of the bacon. Thanks for sharing.
Justin Knight 12.30.2013
Just the name made my mouth water. Printed and intend to make this very soon. Well, as soon as it gets cooler than 75 degrees here in southern California!
Heather 12.30.2013
Are you kidding!!!??? I saw this 3 hours ago and HAD to have it for dinner. Only had shredded frozen hash browns and 8 oz block of cheddar, but went ahead with it anyway. DELICIOUS. Thanks for the perfect snow in meal tonight :)
Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists.com 12.30.2013
Love the idea of using hot cheese!
Anna S. 12.30.2013
If I don’t have access to frozen cubed potatoes and just use potatoes, should I parboil them first?
I love your recipes and can’t wait to make this one! Happy New Year!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.03.2014
Great question – yes I would parboil them first as the hash browns cook in about 5 minutes!
Elizabeth 12.30.2013
My smoke alam went off in the middle of the night a few months ago and scared the crap out of me. So I changed the batteries, and it went off again the next night. So, rationally, I threw it out and got a new one. I decided it was possessed and didn’t want it in my house.
Emily 12.30.2013
This looks delish!
So many of your recipes lately have been hearty (which is great for the cold, blustery winter), however do you have plans to incorporate more light, healthy eats? I’ve always loved your salad, smoothie, and light dish creations.
Happy New Year!
Tracy 12.30.2013
I agree with the alarms ALWAYS going off in the middle of the night! However, this summer ours went off mid-morning and we actually had a carbon monoxide leak. It was scary!!
Emily @ Life on Food 12.30.2013
It is suppose to turn very cold here starting on Tuesday. All I can think about is soup. I love your little trick with the fat. We had a problem with that last night. From now on I am doing this.
Brie @ Entrée the Giant 12.30.2013
Ahhhh, there are so many reasons to love this recipe, but the one topping mine is that fact that all that cold air you’re having in Iowa is coming toward me! I’ll be bundling up in Boston, with a bowl of this business :)
PS – your grease/fat trick is essential. So much easier than hoarding all that grossness in a coffee can under your sink. Not that I used to do that or anything. Ahem.
Emily 12.30.2013
Making this right now, with whatever cheese ends reside in the lunchmeat drawer.
What has me scratching my head: while the tip about discarding bacon grease is genius, who DOES such a thing??? Don’t they know the value of that little ramekin of solidified gold in the fridge?????
L 12.30.2013
Are the hash browns frozen or thawed when you add them? Thanks!
Iowa Girl Eats 12.30.2013
Frozen!
erin @hooleywithaz 12.30.2013
i love chunky chowders. there’s something about having those potatoes in there that makes it feel even more hearty!
Abby VZ 12.30.2013
Oh my goodness! Just over the holiday week I was visiting family in DSM. My dad brought me to South Union Bread Company for lunch. They have a pepper jack potato soup that is ah-mazing! (Plus free bread and dipping sauce bar! Yummy). Definitely worth a visit!
The Many Thoughts of a Reader 12.30.2013
I want this now! So cold here, but I don’t have bacon, pepper jack cheese, enough milk or red pepper flakes ha. I need to go to the store later but I’m not ready to brave the outdoors with the toddler and my new years eve list. Oh and I suppose food for the rest of the week!
Marie @ Little Kitchie 12.30.2013
YUM! I have a bunch of potatoes I need to use up, so I think I’ll sub those for the hash browns and give this a try!
Nina @ Too Hottie for That Body 12.30.2013
Yum! This sounds so good. Do you think you can freeze it? I’m trying this new thing called being organized and would like to prep some meals in advance.
Iowa Girl Eats 12.31.2013
I’ve not had much luck with freezing milk-based soups – they always seem to separate when re-heated. Any broth-based soup or chili and stew seem to do well though!
Rainey 12.30.2013
Oh my goodness, doesn’t that just figure that would happen to you! That’s why I can’t watch scary tv or movies… especially at night when I’m alone in my house. Something crazy always happens that makes me want to pee my pants.