BLACKENED SHRIMP AND CORN CHOWDER

SERVINGS: 8-10

WHAT YOU NEED:

▶ 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ▶ 1 medium Spanish onion, finely chopped ▶ 2 celery stalks, finely chopped ▶ 2 medium banana peppers, finely chopped ▶ 1/2 cup red or amber ale ▶ Salt and freshly ground black pepper ▶ 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined ▶ 2 teaspoons chili powder ▶ 2 teaspoons smoked paprika ▶ 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn ▶ 4 cups fish broth ▶ 1 large sweet potato, baked and mashed ▶ Fresh dill, finely chopped

WHAT YOU DO:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and banana peppers, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the ale and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking and stirring until the beer’s foam subsides and the liquid reduces by half, about 5 minutes.

2. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Toss the shrimp, chili powder and paprika together in a bowl, coating thoroughly. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a cast iron skillet. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring once, until nicely seared, about 2 minutes.

3. Immediately transfer the shrimp to the soup pot, and then stir in the corn and broth. Bring the mixture to a light boil over medium-high heat and add the mashed sweet potato. Reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes longer.

4. Divide the soup among bowls and top with the fresh dill before serving.