Embark on a culinary journey to savor the delectable flavors of New England with our comprehensive guide to making authentic clam chowder. Discover the secrets behind creating the perfect broth, selecting the freshest clams, and incorporating a medley of vegetables to elevate the taste experience. Learn how to craft a creamy or a traditional clear broth, each with its own distinct charm. Whether you prefer a hearty bowl of chowder brimming with tender clams, potatoes, and bacon, or a lighter version bursting with the briny essence of the sea, we have the perfect recipe for you. Indulge in the comforting warmth of this classic dish, perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's dive into the world of clam chowder.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
CLAM CHOWDER RECIPE
Clam chowder is one of my all-time favorite comfort soups. Luckily it's very easy to make. This recipe is a keeper. I can confidently say this New England Style Clam Chowder rivals my favorite restaurant version! P.S. this recipe has a much lower fat content. This lighter clam chowder only has 1 cup of cream for the entire pot but maintains it's super creamy appeal and has incredible satisfying flavor.
Provided by Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Categories Easy/Medium
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a heavy bottomed soup pot or dutch oven, Saute chopped bacon over med/high heat until browned, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels. You should have about 3-4 Tbsp bacon fat in the pot; remove extra fat if you wish, but I left it in ;).
- In the same pot with bacon fat add in 2 sliced carrots, 2 stalks celery (diced), 1 small onion (finely diced) and saute over med/high until soft and golden (7-8 min). Sprinkle with 4 Tbsp flour and stir to combine. Sautee another minute.
- Stir in 2 cups chicken broth, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 tsp tabasco, 2 cans chopped clams with juice, 1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp thyme, 1/4 tsp pepper, and about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp salt or to taste. Bring to a light boil.
- Add 1 1/2 lbs cubed potatoes, 1 cup heavy cream and 2 cups milk. Stir to combine, cover and lightly boil until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, stirring occasionally (17-20 mins). It will thicken as it cools. If it's too thick, you can add a little milk to thin it out.
- To serve, garnish with your browned bacon, finely chopped cilantro (cilantro takes it to the next level) and serve with crackers or crusty bread.
CONTEST-WINNING NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER
This is the best New England clam chowder recipe, ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren't readily available, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. -Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 55m
Yield 5 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, water, clam juice, bouillon, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes., In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes., Stir in clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil). Crumble the cooked bacon; sprinkle over each serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 260 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 788mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER
This is a basic New England clam chowder, though with leeks used in place of the traditional onions, and a splash of wine to add a floral note. Also: thyme. Very continental! It is shockingly delicious and deserves its title as best. Bacon will add a smoky note to the stew. If you use it, it may be worth it to go the whole distance and get expensive double-smoked bacon instead of the standard supermarket fare. The salt pork, which is not smoked, will take the meal in the opposite direction, emphasizing the pure flavor of the clams.
Provided by Sam Sifton
Time 1h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put the clams in a large, heavy Dutch oven, add about 4 cups water, then set over medium-high heat. Cover, and cook until clams have opened, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. (Clams that fail to open after 15 to 20 minutes should be discarded.) Strain clam broth through a sieve lined with cheesecloth or doubled-up paper towels, and set aside. Remove clams from shells, and set aside as well.
- Rinse out the pot, and return it to the stove. Add butter, and turn heat to medium-low. Add bacon or salt pork, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the pork has started to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove pork from fat, and set aside.
- Add the leeks to the fat, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in potatoes and wine, and continue cooking until wine has evaporated and the potatoes have just started to soften, approximately 5 minutes. Add enough clam broth to just cover the potatoes, approximately 3 cups, reserving the rest for another use. Add the thyme and the bay leaf.
- Partly cover the pot, and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop the clams into bits about the size of the bacon dice.
- When potatoes are tender, add cream and stir in chopped clams and reserved bacon. Add black pepper to taste. Let come to a simmer, and remove from heat. (Do not let chowder come to a full boil.) Fish out the thyme and the bay leaf, and discard.
- The chowder should be allowed to sit for a while to cure. Reheat it to a bare simmer before serving, then garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with oyster crackers.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 398, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 544 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MY BEST CLAM CHOWDER
A delicious, traditional, cream based chowder, this recipe calls for the standard chowder ingredients: onion, celery, potatoes, diced carrots, clams, and cream. A little red wine vinegar is added before serving for extra flavor.
Provided by PIONEERGIRL
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Seafood
Time 50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Drain juice from clams into a large skillet over the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.
- Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetables and clam juice. Heat through, but do not boil.
- Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 501.2 calories, Carbohydrate 28.4 g, Cholesterol 136.6 mg, Fat 32.7 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 23.9 g, SaturatedFat 19.7 g, Sodium 712.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
Tips:
- Use fresh clams. Fresh clams have a sweeter, more briny flavor than canned clams. If you can't find fresh clams, use frozen clams that have been thawed in the refrigerator overnight.
- Don't overcook the clams. Clams are delicate and will toughen if they are overcooked. Cook them just until they are opaque and tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Use a good quality clam juice. Clam juice is the base of the chowder, so it's important to use a good quality juice. Look for clam juice that is made from fresh clams and has a clear, light color.
- Add vegetables. Vegetables add flavor and texture to the chowder. Common vegetables used in clam chowder include potatoes, celery, onions, and carrots. You can also add other vegetables, such as corn, peas, or bell peppers.
- Season to taste. Clam chowder is a versatile dish that can be seasoned to your liking. Common seasonings used in clam chowder include salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves.
Conclusion:
Clam chowder is a classic New England dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you like it thick or thin, creamy or brothy, there's a clam chowder recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a hearty and delicious meal, give clam chowder a try. You won't be disappointed.
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