Adapted from The Kitchen Sink

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

4 ounces of bacon (about 3 strips)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
5 celery ribs, diced
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground chili powder
1/4 teaspoon fresh-cracked black pepper
4 medium-sized Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup flour
6 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable base (I use Better Than Bouillon)
4 ears of corn, kernels shaved from the cob and one shaved cob reserved
snipped chives, for garnish

Fry the bacon in the bottom of a large soup pot, until the bacon is crisp. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Drain the bacon drippings from the pot, but do not wipe out the pot. Return the pot to the stove, turn the heat up to medium high and heat the olive oil in the pot. Add the onion, celery and herbs (through the black pepper). Stir to coat the vegetables with the oil and herbs and cook until the onions have become translucent and soft (several minutes). Add the potatoes and cook for five minutes, until the potatoes have begun to soften. Turn the heat down to low and sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Stir and cook for several minutes.

Add the vegetable base and water. Crumble the bacon and add to the soup. Next, stir in the corn kernels. Finally, add the reserved, shaved cob of corn to the soup (which will help flavor and thicken the broth). Bring the soup to a boil, reduce the heat and cook, covered, for 30 minutes. Taste and add salt as necessary.

Before serving, remove the shaved corn cob and taste the soup for seasoning. Serve the soup with snipped chives.