I have the best friends. My high school friend Jean, who is an amazing mom to five kids, shared her favorite soup recipe with us a while back. It's been on my blog for five years and people still comment that it is one of their favorite cold weather recipes. Thank you, Jeano, for sharing it with us!
Jean needs to feed an army so this recipe can be easily halved if you don't want to make a big batch.
JEAN'S FAVORITE REUBEN CHOWDER
INGREDIENTS
1 pound unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup celery, finely diced
1 cup green onion, finely diced (use the white only, save the green for garnish)
2 gallons milk
4 quarts heavy cream
½ cup chicken base (find these in the same aisle you find boullion cubes; McCormick or Superior Touch brands are both good)
½ cup ham base (same as above)
1/3 cup caraway seeds
1 cup sauerkraut
2 pounds corned beef brisket (make your own or buy from your favorite deli)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 pounds potatoes, cubed
DIRECTIONS:
For the roux: Melt the butter. Add onions and celery and cook until tender. Stir in the flour. Cook the roux for five minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly. Whisk in the liquid ingredients, a little at a time. Then add the remaining ingredients except the potatoes. Stir frequently to keep from sticking. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in boiling water until fork tender, drain. Add to chowder after it thickens.
