Best 5 Bahamian White Conch Chowder Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

In the culinary tapestry of the Bahamas, a dish that stands out is the Bahamian White Conch Chowder, a symphony of flavors that pays homage to the country's rich marine heritage. This delectable chowder, a staple in Bahamian cuisine, is crafted with the freshest conch, a meat prized for its tender texture and delicate sweetness. The chowder's milky-white broth, infused with a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, forms a harmonious union with the succulent conch, creating a taste experience that is both comforting and invigorating. Accompaniments like fiery scotch bonnet peppers, zesty lime wedges, and crispy fried plantains add layers of complexity and contrast, making each spoonful a culinary adventure.

The article unveils the secrets behind crafting this Bahamian delicacy, providing step-by-step instructions and insightful tips to guide home cooks in their culinary journey. It also delves into the history and cultural significance of the dish, offering a glimpse into the culinary traditions of the Bahamas. Furthermore, the article presents a collection of additional recipes that showcase the versatility of conch, including tantalizing dishes like Conch Fritters, Conch Salad, and Conch Stew, each offering a unique interpretation of this Bahamian treasure.

Let's cook with our recipes!

BAHAMIAN CONCH CHOWDER



Bahamian Conch Chowder image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1/4-pound slab bacon, rind removed, diced
1/4 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, sliced
2 jalapeno, seeds and stems removed, minced
1 large Spanish onion, peeled and diced
4 celery stalks, cleaned and diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
1 bulb fennel, diced
1 yellow pepper, seeds and stem removed, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
4 cups peeled plum tomatoes, thoroughly crushed
2 cups tomato sauce
10 cups shellfish or chicken stock
2 1/2 pounds cleaned and ground conch meat
10 small new-boil potatoes, scrubbed, diced and cooked until tender, drained and reserved
Hot red pepper sauce

Steps:

  • In a very large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon with olive oil over medium heat. When bacon is almost cooked, add garlic and jalapenos and cook for 30 seconds. Raise the heat to medium-high and add the onion, celery, carrots, fennel, and bell peppers. Add herbs, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat. Add the stock, stir in the ground conch and potatoes and bring to a simmer. Add hot red pepper sauce, to taste, and simmer for 10 minutes, then serve, or chill for later use.

BAHAMIAN STEAMED CONCH



Bahamian Steamed Conch image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large Spanish onion, sliced
1 medium green sweet pepper, sliced
1 medium red sweet pepper, sliced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
4 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme
5 pounds conch meat (tenderized with a mallet, steamed and cut into large chunks), liquid reserved
1 red chile pepper, chopped
Salt

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a saute pan. Add garlic and onions and saute until onions are fragrant. Add the sweet peppers to the pan and saute for about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, and the thyme. Add the conch and the reserved liquid. Add chile pepper and season, to taste. Allow to simmer until conch is tender and sauce is slightly thickened. Serve over white rice.
  • Note: This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

CONCH CHOWDER



Conch Chowder image

Provided by David Edelstein

Categories     dinner, soups and stews, main course

Time 50m

Yield Two quarts

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 tablespoon olive oil
3 ounces slab bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 green pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1/2 red pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1/2 yellow pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1 poblano pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
4 small new potatoes, peeled, diced and placed in cold water to prevent discoloration
1 1/2 cups canned tomato purée
1 1/2 cups Italian canned whole tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups fish stock
2 1/2 cups clam juice
1 pound cleaned and ground conch meat; to grind, thaw the meat and place in a food processor or blender and pulse (see note)
Bouquet garni (1 sprig each thyme, oregano, marjoram, basil tied in a cheesecloth)
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Tabasco sauce to taste

Steps:

  • In a stockpot, heat the olive oil and render the bacon. Add all ingredients up to (but not including) the potatoes. Cook vegetables over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the potatoes, tomato purée and chopped tomatoes. Reduce heat to very low.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate pot, heat fish stock and clam juice until simmering. Add the ground conch, stirring vigorously so the conch doesn't clump up. Bring to a boil, then strain the liquid into the other pot. Set aside the conch. Add bouquet garni, bay leaf and red pepper flakes and simmer the soup until the potatoes are cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove bouquet garni. Add conch and Tabasco sauce to taste.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 61, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Fat 2 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 196 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

AROMATIC BAHAMIAN CONCH CHOWDER



Aromatic Bahamian Conch Chowder image

According to The Florida Keys Cookbook, where I found this recipe, the Bahamians held the conch in mystical regard, believing its consumption enhanced male potency. They brought the recipe with them when they immigrated to the Florida Keys.

Provided by FLKeysJen

Categories     Chowders

Time 6h20m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 1/2 cups chopped sweet onions
1 large bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 cup lean ham, diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chopped tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/2 cup tomato juice
1 cup hot water (I use broth)
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 -2 lb tenderized ground conch
busha browne's spicy & hot pepper sherry wine or brandy

Steps:

  • Place olive oil, onions, bell peppers, ham and garlic in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Saute, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, hot water, bay leaf, barbecue sauce, marjoram, sage, thyme, parsley, oregano, salt, cracked and cayenne peppers. Stir to combine ingredients and bring mixture to a boil.
  • Add conch to the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 5 to 6 hours or until conch is tender. Lace each individual serving with hot pepper sherry to taste.

BAHAMIAN CONCH CHOWDER



Bahamian Conch Chowder image

Conchs are quite popular in South Florida, as most there come from the Bahamas, were they are plentiful. If you cannot get frozen conchs, chopped clams may be substituted. If using chopped clams, add them at the last moment to keep them tender. The chowder is chunky, spicy, and robust with flavor - goes great with toasted bread rounds. Found recipe in, "The Whole Foods Market Cookbook."

Provided by Virginia Cherry Blo

Categories     Chowders

Time 55m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium potato, peeled and chopped (Sweet Potato or Yucca is good)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 6 sprigs of fresh)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3 bay leaves
1 (16 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can clam juice
2 cups cold water
1 lb conch, defrosted (chopped frozen,, or 16 oz chopped clams with liquid)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or 1 tbsp malt)
6 sprigs parsley, chopped
4 scallions, minced
salt
cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Saute the onion, celery, carrots, red pepper, potato, thyme, red chili flakes, allspice, and bay leaves for 5 minutes, until they began to soften.
  • Add the tomatoes, clam juice, and cold water. Bring to a boil and immediately lower to a simmer.
  • If using defrosted conch meat, add now and cook for 35 minutes, uncovered. Then add the malt or red wine vinegar, parsley, scallions, salt, and cayenne pepper, and simmer 5 minutes.
  • If using chopped clams, add now along with the malt or red wine vinegar, parsley, scallions, salt, and cayenne pepper, and simmer 5 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 185.2, Fat 3.3, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 29.5, Sodium 381.1, Carbohydrate 25, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 8, Protein 14.7

Tips:

  • Use fresh conch: Fresh conch meat has a sweeter, more delicate flavor than frozen conch. If you can't find fresh conch, you can use frozen conch, but be sure to thaw it completely before using.
  • Clean the conch properly: Conch can be gritty, so it's important to clean it properly before cooking. To clean the conch, remove the meat from the shell and cut it into small pieces. Place the conch pieces in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for 30 minutes. Drain the water and rinse the conch pieces thoroughly.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: White conch chowder is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Feel free to add any vegetables that you like to the chowder. Some good options include potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and corn.
  • Season the chowder to taste: White conch chowder should be seasoned to taste. Be sure to add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
  • Serve the chowder with a side of bread or crackers: White conch chowder is a hearty and filling soup. Serve it with a side of bread or crackers for a complete meal.

Conclusion:

White conch chowder is a delicious and easy-to-make soup that is perfect for a cold day. It's made with fresh conch meat, vegetables, and a creamy broth. The chowder is seasoned to taste and served with a side of bread or crackers.

Related Topics