Maris Clam Lovers Chowder Recipes

MARI'S CLAM LOVERS CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, saute bacon until almost crisp. Drain fat. Add clam juice, onion, carrots, water, celery, and parsley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Add potatoes and simmer 20 more minutes. At the time you add potatoes start cream sauce.
• In a Dutch oven melt butter and add flour; blend until smooth. Slowly pour in cream, stirring constantly. DO NOT BOIL! When smooth, transfer to the stockpot.
• Stir in clams, salt, pepper, sugar and red wine vinegar. Simmer, never let boil, until smooth and slightly thickened, about 30 to 45 minutes.

MARI'S CLAM LOVERS CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, saute bacon until almost crisp. Drain fat. Add clam juice, onion, carrots, water, celery, and parsley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Add potatoes and simmer 20 more minutes. At the time you add potatoes start cream sauce.
• In a Dutch oven melt butter and add flour; blend until smooth. Slowly pour in cream, stirring constantly. DO NOT BOIL! When smooth, transfer to the stockpot.
• Stir in clams, salt, pepper, sugar and red wine vinegar. Simmer, never let boil, until smooth and slightly thickened, about 30 to 45 minutes.

JIM'S NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Dice the salt pork into small cubes.
• I usually slice it into a grid while it is still attached to the skin, then slice across the skin where it attaches to the fat and the cubes pop off easily.
• Sauté the salt pork in a large 5 quart non stick sauce pan.
• When the cubes are golden brown strain them from the rendered fat onto a paper bag to drain.
• Save 4 tablespoons of the liquid fat from the salt pork,then wipe out the sauce pan with a paper towel.
• Put the fat back in the sauce pan.
• Dice the large onion into small pieces.
• Slice the 3 ribs of celery lengthwise then dice it into small pieces.
• Place the diced onion and celery into the heated pork fat and sauté until the onions are opaque and the celery is a bit soft.
• Pour the entire can of clams (broth and all) into the onion/celery mixture and bring to a simmer.
• Place the rosemary into the clam broth mixture.
• Peel the Maine potatoes OR scrub the red bliss potatoes.
• Then cut them into 3/4-inch cubes--I like them a bit chunky--and soak them in cold water for about five minutes.
• Take the stick of butter and melt it in a small sauce pan.
• Add the 3 tablespoons of flour to the melted butter and stir until well blended.
• Drain the potatoes and place them into the clam mixture, simmer until al dente.
• Next, pour the 2 cups of milk into the simmering clam broth mixture and bring back to a simmer.
• Lastly, swirl the butter/flour roux into the chowder and simmer for about 10 more minutes until the chowder thickens.
• Remove the rosemary and serve this chowder in big bowls with oyster crackers and the pieces of golden brown pork fat, salt and pepper to taste.
• NOTE: I don't like my chowder too thick so you may have to adjust the butter/flour mixture.
• You may skip the butter and use a low-fat margarine.
• You may also substitute skim milk too (or skip the milk altogether, this is called Point Judith/Rhode Island style!).
• You may even skip the whole pork fat thing for a healthier recipe.
• This chowder is so hearty that it stands up well to "healthier alternative" substitutions.

CONTEST-WINNING NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

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.