Spicy Ham 'n' Corn Chowder

Tonight I made Spicy Ham 'n' Corn Chowder. I served it with Cheesy, Garlic, Dill Biscuits! I will start adding photos in the future, that is one thing that I love is seeing how it is supposed to turn out :)

4 tbl butter
2 slices of bacon (diced) uncooked (OR Real bacon in a jar - NOT bacon bits)
1 medium onion, yellow, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced (no seeds)
2 celery spears, diced
2 stems fresh thyme OR 1/2 tsp thyme seasoning (omit if you don't have)
sea salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste
2 tbl hot sauce (like Tobasco)
2 tbl all-purpose flour
2 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or Creole or Blackening or Soul Seasoning)
2-3 cups Half & Half
2 cups chicken broth
1-2 cups frozen hash-browns
1 small ham steak diced (or pkg of diced ham)
1 cup corn (can drained or frozen)
Serve With: Parsley as a garnish (fresh or dried)

In a medium pot (or cast iron pot--my fave!), melt butter on med heat. Add bacon, bell pepper, celery and thyme. Season with Salt, Pepper & Hot Sauce and cook 5 min. Stir in flour and Old Bay and cook 1 more min.

Stir in 1/2 & 1/2, once mixed well, add broth. Bring to a bubble then add in hash-browns, corn & ham. Simmer about 15 min, lower heat a tad so it doesn't stick. Stir occasionally. Don't cover. It will be ready when it is a bit thicker than a broth, might coat a spoon. If it is too thick, add more broth! It's as easy as that!!!

Took about 30-40 min. Fed about 4.

Also served with Cheddar, Garlic, Dill Biscuits. I bought Garlic, Cheddar biscuits at the store, added milk like it said but also added dill. They are similar to Red Lobster and they are sure yummy! Just spray your cookie sheet, drop them down and bake!

Hope you enjoy!