As autumn weather approaches, there’s nothing like a steaming bowl of clam chowder to warm the soul. Here is a recipe for clam chowder in the New England style, though I actually picked it up while visiting some folks in San Diego.
New England Style Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound salt pork or bacon, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup water and/or clam juice
- 2 1/2 pounds live cherrystone, littleneck clams or 2 10 oz cans of baby clams
- 1 quart whole milk
- 1 1/2 pounds russet or yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Oyster crackers, for serving
Directions
-
Combine salt pork and 1/4 cup water in a heavy-bottomed stock pot or Dutch oven. over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until water has evaporated and pork has begun to brown and crisp in spots, about 8 minutes. Add butter, onion, and celery. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened but not browned, about 4 minutes longer. Add clam juice or water and stir to combine.
-
Add clams or quohogs and increase heat to high. Cover and cook, opening lid to stir occasionally, until clams begin to open, about 3 minutes. As clams open, remove them with tongs and transfer to a large bowl, keeping as many juices in the pot as possible and keeping the lid shut as much as possible. After 8 minutes, discard any clams that have not yet begun to open.
-
Add milk, potatoes, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and starting to break down, about 15 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, remove meat from inside the clams and roughly chop it. Discard empty shells. Transfer chopped clams and as much juice as possible to a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Let clams drain, then transfer chopped clams to a separate bowl. Set both bowls aside.
-
One potatoes are tender, pour the entire mixture through the fine mesh strainer into the bowl with the clam juice rapping the strainer with the back of a knife or a honing steel to get the liquids to pass through. Transfer strained solids to the bowl with the chopped clams. You should end up with a white, semi-broken broth in the bowl underneath, and the chopped clams, potatoes, salt pork, and aromatics in the separate bowl.
-
Transfer liquid to a blender and blend on high speed until smooth and emulsified, about 2 minutes Return liquid and solids back to Dutch oven. Add heavy cream and stir to combine. Reheat until simmering. Season well with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with oyster crackers.
0 comments on “New England Style Clam Chowder” Add yours →