Let's Dish: Chowder

Colder weather means it's time for comfort food. Chris Koetke, host of the LiveWell Network show "Let's Dish" shares his hearty recipe for a potato, corn and sausage chowder. You can find more recipes like this on the Live Well Network.

Recipe for Chowder
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Serves: 10-12 (about 3 1/2 quarts)

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 1/2 oz. (about 1 1/2 cups) spicy sausage (like Andouille), cut into half-moon slices
6 1/2 oz. (about 1 1/2 cups) smoked sausage (like Kielbasa), cut into half-moon slices
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced red pepper
16 oz. frozen corn (about 3 cups), thawed
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup diced cooked meat (like chicken, pork, or beef)
48 oz. chicken broth
1 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon thyme leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage
6 cups leftover mashed potatoes
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
Sour cream
Hot sauce

Preparation:
1. Heat oil over moderate heat in a large sauce pot or stock pot. Add sausages and saute for 4-6 minutes until lightly browned.
2. Add carrots, celery, onion, red pepper, corn and garlic to stock pot. Saute for 12-15 minutes until soft.
3. Add chicken broth, cooked meat, salt, black pepper, thyme and sage.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Stir in mashed potatoes and simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
6. Just before serving, stir in green onions and serve with sour cream and hot sauce on the side.