What gives this thick, voluptuous soup its deep-golden flavor and aroma is toasted dried summer-sweet Cope's corn. Chef Linton Hopkins embellishes the soup with tender, briny shrimp and foresty mushrooms, but it would also be delicious with crabmeat or bacon & or with nothing at all to distract you from its mysterious, soul-satisfying essence.
Corn mixture can be cooked, puréed, and strained 1 day ahead. Chill, uncovered, until cool, then cover. Reheat before proceeding.
Recipe information
Total Time
1 3/4 hr
Yield
Makes 8 (first course) servings
Ingredients
For corn soup
For mushrooms and shrimp
Preparation
Cook corn and make soup:
Step 1
Cook onion in butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over medium-low heat, stirring, until softened. Add corn, heavy cream, and 6 cups stock and bring to a boil.
Step 2
Wrap parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns in cheesecloth and tie with string to make a bouquet garni. Add to pot with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and simmer, covered, 45 minutes.
Step 3
Discard bouquet garni, then purée corn mixture in batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), about 2 minutes per batch. Strain soup as puréed through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heavy saucepan, pressing on and then discarding solids.
Step 4
Return soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and keep warm over low heat. Thin with additional stock if necessary.
Cook mushrooms and shrimp:
Step 5
Trim mushrooms, discarding any dark gills and tough stems, then slice or tear into bite-size pieces.
Step 6
Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until foam subsides, then cook mushrooms, stirring, until tender and golden, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 7
Transfer mushrooms to a bowl and melt remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in skillet. Meanwhile, toss shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook shrimp in butter, turning occasionally, until barely cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Return mushrooms to skillet and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in chives and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 8
Mound shrimp and mushrooms in shallow bowls, then add soup and top each serving with a dollop of crème fraîche.
