Creamed Corn with Onion and Chives

INGREDIENTS

• ☐    4 slices bacon
• ☐    cooking spray
• ☐    4 1/2 cups whole kernel corn
• ☐    1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• ☐    1/2 cup half-and-half
• ☐    1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• ☐    1 teaspoon white sugar
• ☐    1/2 teaspoon salt
• ☐    1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ☐    1 (8 ounce) container chive and onion cream cheese

PREPARATION

1. Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over MEDIUM-HIGH heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes.

2. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels; crumble when cool enough to handle.

3. Coat the inside of a 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

4. Combine corn, red bell pepper, half-and-half, butter, sugar, salt, black pepper, and half the crumbled bacon in the slow cooker; stir well.

5. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

6. Stir cream cheese into corn mixture; cook until cheese melts, about 10 more minutes.

7. Stir well and top with remaining bacon before serving.