El Jarro's Roasted Poblano and Corn Soup

Source: El Jarro's - San Antonio, TX

3 cups corn kernels (about 4 cobs of
    corn if using fresh corn)
8 medium poblano chiles, roasted
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped chives
8 ounces cream cheese, at room
    temperature, cut into chunks
1 quart heavy cream
8 ounces chicken broth
1 teaspoon white pepper, or to taste
Water, as needed to thin soup to
    desired consistency
Salt, to taste

Garnish
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Remove silk from fresh corn, but leave husks attached. Wrap the cobs loosely with the husks and place over hot coals or in a 450 degree F oven, turning as needed, for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cooked. (The process will be quicker on an outdoor grill.) Let cool, remove the husks, then cut the kernels from the cobs using a sharp knife.

Meanwhile, place poblano chiles over a hot fire or under the broiler, turning as needed until the skins are blackened. Remove from oven and place chiles in a plastic or paper bag until cool, allowing the steam to loosen the skins. Remove the stems, seeds and skins and discard; cut chiles into 1/4-inch cubes.

Place half of the corn kernels and half of the chiles in a blender and pur?e until smooth. Leave the remaining kernels whole. Proceed with recipe or refrigerate corn and chiles until needed.

Heat butter in a large pot. Add garlic and saut? briefly. Add red pepper and chives and continue saut?ing for 2 to 3 minutes more. Add reserved corn and poblanos, the cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, whisking, until cream cheese has been incorporated. Add water to thin the soup if desired. Season to taste with salt and add more pepper if needed. (Soup can be made ahead, then cooled, covered, and refrigerated. Reheat slowly, thinning with water if necessary.)

To serve, pour into heated bowls and garnish with cilantro.

Makes about 10 cups.