Coconut Chicken Chowder

Coconut Chicken Chowder 

From D's Kitchen 

Canned Goods:

1 can coconut milk 

1 can of corn (I used super sweet white and yellow shoe peg from green giant) 

1 can of black beans (Goya premium)

Spices and Oils:

1tsp of cayenne pepper 

1/2 tsp of cumin powder

Olive oil

2 cups water

Fresh Ingredients:

2 small yams, cubed

2 large, or 4 small Yukon gold potatoes cubed

1 stalk celery sliced thinly

1/2 Vidalia onion diced

1/2 yellow bell pepper diced

1/2 red bell pepper diced

2 sprigs thyme, leaves roughly chopped

1 handful of cilantro, finely chopped 

Three leaves of culantro, finely chopped (also known as Mexican/long cilantro, or "shado beni" if you can't find this herb use another handful of cilantro or two tablespoons of "green seasoning" found in the West Indian section of larger supermarkets)  

1 large chunk of ginger, peeled (from knuckle to thumb tip)

4 cloves of garlic, minced 

Meats:

1lb Ground chicken breast seasoned with:

1 Tbl Salt

1 Tbl Pepper

1 Tbl Garlic powder 

Cilantro

Thyme

Mix, form small meatballs, set aside 

Directions:

Preheat oven to broil 

Boil 2 cups of water

In large soup pot sauté onions and bell peppers in enough olive oil to cover the bottom (about 3 tablespoons) 

Cook until onions are translucent, then turn flame low and pile onion and pepper into a side of the pot away from the heat. 

Add meatballs (or sliced chicken breast) to exposed pot bottom. Brown chicken on both sides. Incorporate onion and pepper with chicken. Keep covered on a low flame.

In a baking/ roasting dish toss yams and potatoes with olive oil and salt liberally. 

Roast for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through and crisp (some black charred corners are okay - even encouraged!) Set aside. 

In a saucepan add coconut milk, ginger, minced garlic, celery and culantro. Simmer on low flame until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Stir constantly. 

Remove ginger then add milk to soup pot with chicken. 

Add potatoes and yams, corn and beans. Pour enough boiling water to cover ingredients. 

Stir in cayenne pepper and cumin powder. 

Season with to taste with salt and pepper. 

Stir well, remove from heat. 

Serve with warm crusty Italian bread, toasted Cuban bread or French baguette 🥖 

Substitutions and additions:

Use 1lb chicken breast seasoned with spices as above, sliced lengthwise and marinated in lime juice with thyme and cilantro.

This would taste good with broiled or fried sweet Italian sausage sliced and added at the end... yum! 

Make it a fish chowder using firm white fish like cod or halibut instead of chicken. Add a roux to thicken further. Grind and mix nutmeg, mace, and star anise then add a pinch for a flavor explosion! 

Add roasted carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes or asparagus for an added depth. Get crazy and add them all for a super nutritious meal! 

Omit the meat for a great vegetarian dish.