Codfish Chowder

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay)
• 1 (16 ounce) can chicken broth
• 3 red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 4 ears sweet corn, shucked and kernels cut off
• 1/2 cup water, or as needed to cover (optional)
• 2 cups whole milk, or more as needed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound thick cod fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Cook bacon in a soup pot over medium heat until crisp and brown, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in the pot. Cook and stir onion and red bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Stir in garlic and seafood seasoning and cook and stir 2 more minutes.

Pour in chicken broth and stir in potatoes and corn; add water if needed to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in milk and butter until butter has melted; mix in reserved bacon. Bring the soup just to the boiling point and stir in cod and parsley; cook, stirring occasionally, until fish flakes easily, 5 to 8 minutes.