Corn and Wild Rice Soup with Smoked Sausage

12 Servings

12-1/2 cups (or more) canned low-salt chicken broth
1-1/4 cups wild rice (about 7-1/2 ounces)

6-1/4 cups frozen corn kernels (about 2-1/2 pounds), thawed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 ounces fully cooked smoked sausage (such as kielbasa),
cut into l/2-inch cubes
3 carrots, peeled, diced
2 medium onions, chopped

1-1/2 cups half and half

Chopped fresh chives or parsley

Bring 5 cups broth to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add wild rice and simmer until all liquid evaporates and rice is almost tender, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, blend 3-3/4 cups corn and 1-1/2 cups chicken broth in processor until thick, almost smooth puree forms. Heat vegetable oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and saute until beginning to brown about 5 minutes. Add carrots and onions and stir 3 minutes. Add remaining 6 cups chicken broth and bring soup to simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer soup 15 minutes.

Add cooked wild rice, corn puree, and remaining 2-1/2 cups corn kernels to soup. Cook until wild rice is very tender and flavors blend, about 15 minutes longer. Mix in half and half. Thin soup with more chicken broth, if desired. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. (Soup can he prepared 2 days ahead. Refrigerate until cold; cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm soup over medium-low heat before serving.)