CRAB AND LEEK CHOWDER

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cook until the butter just begins to brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the jalapeño and sauté for 1 minute. Add the garlic and leek and sauté for 1 minute, stirring. Increase the heat to high, add the stock, potatoes, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat.
• Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, puree the mixture in a food processor or blender. Stir in the hot sauce to taste. Return the pot to low heat and simmer the soup for 15 minutes.
• Put the drained crabmeat in a small bowl and pick through it with your hands, removing any pieces of shell.
• To serve, divide the chowder among 4 bowls. Garnish each bowl with crabmeat, corn, red bell pepper, and shallot rings. Top with a pinch of parsley.
• Crispy Shallots
• Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Dredge the shallots in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
• In a medium skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the shallot rings and cook without stirring until they turn golden brown, about 2 minutes. Turn them over and cook until they are golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. As the shallots finish cooking, remove them to a plate lined with a paper towel.