Chilled Corn and Sun-Dried Tomato Chowder with Goat Cheese-Chive Croutons

Clearly I am longing for summer with this recipe but I want you all to have it too so that we can long together!

RECOMMENDED WINE: Chardonnay
ALTERNATIVE WINE: Sauvignon/Fume Blanc

4 ears sweet corn, husks removed
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped sweet onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon (1/2 tsp dried)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1 1/2 tsp minced lemon zest
2-14 1/2 ounce cans, plus 6 ounces chicken stock
3/4 cup white wine
1 Tbs chopped roasted garlic
3/4 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup sun-dried tomato halves (rehydrated in water and drained)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces fresh goat cheese
1 Tbs minced chives
1 sourdough baguette, cut on the diagonal into twelve 1/4-inch slices

GARNISH: chopped fresh tarragon

Using a serrated knife, remove corn from cob by scraping down the cob (this will yield about 2 cups). Reserve the cobs. In a large soup pot, heat olive oil. Add onions, tarragon, cumin, turmeric, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest and saute for 7 to 8 minutes. Add corn, reserved corn cobs, stock, and wine and bring to a full, rolling boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 12 minutes. Remove cobs with tongs.

Carefully transfer soup mixture to a food processor or blender. Add roasted garlic, lemon juice, and sour cream. Process soup in batches. Add sun-dried tomatoes and stir thoroughly. Season to taste and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours. Soup can be thinned with a little extra chicken stock, if necessary.

Mix goat cheese, chives, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest together using both hands. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, spread goat cheese-chive mixture on sourdough slices. Put under broiler for about 5 to 6 minutes, until goat cheese starts to turn color slightly. Divide soup evenly in large soup bowls. Place two crisscrossed croutons halfway into soup with the other halves resting against the edge of the bowl. Garnish with chopped tarragon.

SERVES 6 AS AN APPETIZER