Cafe Corn Chowder

This is my all time favorite soup!  I've searched online for Mimi's Cafe Corn Chowder and found a few copy cat recipes. They just didn't seem to be the same.  Then one day I found it on the actual  Mimi's Cafe site. You can't get any closer than their own recipe right? I love that they share their recipes.  Seriously, I think it's so awesome!  I have found that some brands of frozen corn have huge kernels and they are really chewy.  It really made my soup far less enjoyable when I used that kind.  You will want to find a good quality frozen corn to make it the best it can be. My favorite so far was the brand from Costco.

Cafe Corn Chowder

¼-cup butter, (½-stick)
6 tablespoons chopped onion
¾-cup diced celery
2-½ cups water
2 cups cubed peeled red or russet potatoes, (½-inch)
2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 can creamed corn (14 oz)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 dash of white pepper
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups half and half cream

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add in the flour and whisk until smooth and a roux forms (2 minutes). Add onions and celery and saute 5 minutes until soft but not brown. Add water, potatoes, corn kernels, creamed corn, sugar, salt and pepper. Using a wire whisk, whisk until smooth. Cover and simmer until potatoes are barely tender, about 30 minutes. Add half and half and simmer uncovered until soup has thickened to a creamy consistency, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.