grandma betty's corn chowder

Ingredients For grandma betty's corn chowder

• 1 Tbsp

  unsalted butter
• 1 Tbsp

  olive oil or veg. oil
• 2 slice

  bacon, cut into pieces
• 1/2 lg

  onion, chopped
• 1/2 lg

  carrots, chopped
• 1 stalk

  celery, chopped (1/2 c.)
• 1/2 c

  red pepper, chopped (1/2 c.)
• 1 clove

  garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp

  thyme
• 3 Tbsp

  unsalted butter
• 1/3 c

  flour
• 1/2 tsp

  black pepper and salt
• 2 c

  half & half
• 1 1/2 c

  whole milk
• 2-3 md

  potatoes, peeled and diced (yukon gold or russett)
• 1

  bayleaf
• 1 tsp

  cayenne pepper (more to taste)
• 3

  ears of sweet corn (roasted or raw and cut off cob or thawed frozen corn or 2 cans of corn, drained
• 3/4 c

  mexican blend shredded cheese or a shredded mild cheddar cheese (more if you like cheesy soup)