80--- Fiesta Corn Chowder

More soup! I love a chowder; corn, potato, clam, you name it and I will eat it. But chowders often contain heavy cream, which translates to high fat, high calorie.

This is a lighter version made with lowfat milk. The roasted peppers give it such a great flavor you do not even miss the cream!

Chile peppers are high in vitamins A and C. They also contain capsaisin, a capsaicinoid that has been found to work as an anticoagulant, possibly helping to prevent heart attacks or strokes. The amount of heat in a hot pepper depends on the variety, and is measured in Scolville Heat Units. On this scale, peppers can range in heat between 500 to 400,000 heat units! Within each variety, the more mature the pepper, the hotter it will be.

By weight, a red bell pepper contains three times as much vitamin C as a citrus fruit. Hot peppers contain 357 percent more than an orange!

Fiesta Corn Chowder

Serves 4

2 Anaheim chile peppers

2 Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 small yellow onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, pressed and minced

1 small red bell pepper

1 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) corn kernels

2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1 cup 1% milk

1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

2 tsp chopped fresh oregano

Preheat a gas grill. Place peppers (Anaheim chiles and red pepper) on grill over medium-high heat ~3-5 minutes each side, until skin is blackened. Place peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap until cook enough to handle. Peel away skin, seed and chop.

Place potato pieces into a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain and set aside.

In a skillet, heat olive oil over high heat. Add onion and chopped garlic and saute until onion is translucent. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a food processor, process 1 cup of corn kernels and 1/2 cup potato chunks until fairly smooth. Transfer contents to a stock pot over medium heat and add potato pieces, diced peppers, onions and garlic, and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until soup thickens.

Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Nutrition Info per 2 cup serving: 301 calories, 9 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 9 g protein, 52 g carbohydrates