Fiesta Kind-of Chowder

The colors remind me of traditional Mexican colors so the name. They called it a chowder but with so little fat, it doesn't quite qualify as chowder in my book. To quote DH "It's WeightWatchers so it's not going to be the tastiest thing ever", but with the added spices and fat I think it's better than he gives it credit for (he ate three bowls). I think all the vegetables throw him off.

Adapted from WeightWatchers Summer Corn, Bacon, and Potato Chowder

1 Large Potato
2 T Olive Oil (or Butter)
4-5 oz Center Cut Bacon, Chopped
1/2 C Celery (1-2 stalks), diced
1/2 C Onion, diced
2 C Sweet Corn
1 Medium Carrot, diced
1 Red Sweet Pepper, diced
1 T Garlic, minced
2 Links/6 oz Chicken Sausage, casing removed, diced (we used one that had sun dried tomato and spices)
Salt
Ground Pepper
2 t Paprika
1/2 t Chile Powder (or use 1 t Mexican Spice Blend)- Wash your hands after handling
2 1/2 C Skim Milk
1/4 C Half & Half (optional)
2 Scallions, chopped

Cook the potato. Cool/Drain. Peel and Mash. Here is a good place to use leftover baked potato from the night before.

Heat pot over medium-high heat. Add oil or butter and the bacon, let butter melt. Add vegetables and cook until onions and celery are translucent/soft, roughly 5-8 minutes. Stir regularly.

Add meat and spices and cook for a minute or two. Add Potato mash, Milk and Half & Half. Cover and barely simmer for ~10 minutes. Serve garnished with scallions.

Additional Thoughts:
- I think an added green pepper would be a nice touch
- It needs fat that the original doesn't call for. Fat isn't bad, too much fat is the problem.
- The original calls for you to microwave the potato, I think it gives a weird texture. I would boil it instead.
- We used frozen corn since it's not in season. You can buy frozen roasted corn that I think would be excellent. If at all possible, use fresh sweet corn, there's no true substitute. I miss being able to drive past roadside stands all the time (that are on the honor system of course).
- Play around with the spices, I thought what the original called for was a sad combination

**edited 7/5/13: Tweaked some ingredients and added the bacon**