Harvest Corn Chowder

HARVEST CORN CHOWDER
Original Recipe (received from my mother-in-law)






4 strips bacon
1/2 C chopped onion
dash garlic salt
1 tsp basil
1 pkg (10oz) frozen corn
1 pkg (10oz) frozen peas and corn
1 C frozen hash browns
1 can chicken broth
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp corn starch
2 C half & half

Fry bacon, remove and reserve drippings. Add garlic salt and onion to dripping and cook till tender. Add vegetables, broth, salt, pepper, bacon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir cornstarch into half & half. Add to broth and vegetables. Add hash browns and basil. Return to a full boil and remove from heat. Add parsley.

Modifications
2 Morning Star sausage patties, crumbled to replace the bacon
Vegetable broth (make sure it is very flavorful) to replace chicken broth
garlic clove to replace garlic salt
don't add any salt, add a little more pepper and a dash of cinnamon
Fresh carrots - I cut up about 2 carrots and use 1/2 cup of frozen peas to replace the frozen bag
1% milk to replace half & half

These modifications do give it a little different flavor but it is sooo tasty! If you need to make more (and I do) then I add about 1 cup more vegetable broth, 1 cup more milk with cornstarch, double the vegetables, including onions and garlic, and double the hash browns.