Roasted Poblano Corn Chowder

We had some roasted green chilies that I wanted to use up in the freezer and since I love soup so much, I figured this would be a perfect way to use them up. I got the idea from a blog, but I kind of deviated from the recipe a bit to make it to my taste. I will note my changes in parenthesis.This was a very yummy, hearty and fairly healthy soup.

Source:http://theothersideof50.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

4 slices of center cut bacon, diced and cooked until crisp
3 poblano peppers, washed, halved and seeded
1 red bell pepper, washed, halved and seeded
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced ( I omitted)
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano ( I omitted)
salt and pepper
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour ( I used 1 tbsp)
1 1/2 quarts chicken broth ( I used 4 cups)
1 1/2 pounds red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed, unpeeled, diced into small cubes
1 20-oz tube of frozen creamed corn, thawed ( I omitted)
2 cups frozen corn kernels
1/2 up half & half

Directions:

Broil pepper halves, skin side up, on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet 6 inches from heat for 7-8 minutes or until pepper looks blistered. Place peppers in a ziploc baggie, seal closed and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Peel skin from peppers and dice. In a small skillet, cook bacon until crisp and drain of all extra fat.

Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and celery. Season with cumin, oregano, salt and pepper and saute until onions are translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and saute for another minute or two. Sprinkle flour over all and stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes. Slowly add broth to pot. Increase the heat a bit and bring to a boil. Season with more salt (1/2-1 tsp) and add potatoes, frozen corn and diced roasted peppers.
(Take approximately 2 cups of the soup and blend it in a blender or food processor until creamy and return to the pot.)
Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are almost fork tender. Remove from heat and stir in half & half and add the cooked bacon, stir to combine.

I also added chopped scallions and cilantro to provide extra flavor.