My Big Fat Spicy Korean Clam Chowder Recipes

MY BIG, FAT, SPICY KOREAN CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• If you are using fresh clams for clam meats and juice, you'll need about 44~53 oz of fresh clams, depending on the variety you're using. To cook them, combine the clams in a pot with 1/4 cup sake wine (if you add the sake now, don't add it again later), then put the lid on and cook over medium-high heat for 2~3 min, until they're all opened. Remove the meats and discard the shells, then strain the clam juice through a fine sieve (you should have a bit more than 1 cup of liquid). Set aside.
• In a large pot, cook olive oil and diced pancetta over medium heat until the fats are rendered and the pancetta is browned. Add diced onion, celery and bay leaves, then cook for another 5 min until softened and translucent. Add all-purpose flour and cook for another min, then add the whole milk, clam juice, sake wine (or not, if you have used it to cook the clams already), gochujang/Korean chili paste, miso paste, 1/2 of the diced potatoes, ground black and white pepper. Stir constantly until the mixture has come to a simmer, and that the gochujang and miso have completely dissolved. Put the lid on and turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 20 minute.
• Meanwhile, combine the other 1/2 of the diced potatoes with heavy cream in a small pot. Put the lid on and cook over medium~medium-low heat for 5 min, until the potatoes are soft (careful not to burn the cream). Set aside.
• After simmering, the soup-mixture will look horrifyingly broken (the fats and water have separated, and looks grainy). DO NOT PANIC. All is expected here. Transfer the mixture to a blender (or with a hand-held immersion blender), and blend until it's smooth and creamy again. Transfer back to the pot, then add the potatoes/cream and 25 fresh little neck clams. Simmer for 5 min on low heat (and I mean SIMMER! NEVER BOIL! or the mixture may break again), stir occasionally, until the clams have opened. Add the clam meats, diced chives and grated ginger, taste, and re-season with fish sauce if needed.
• Add 1 tsp of unsalted butter (2 if you want -- ) on top of each serving, and a little dust of ground white pepper and chili flakes (optional). Serve with rustic country bread or hot steamed rice.

LOWER-FAT NEW ENGLAND-STYLE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Saute onions, and mushrooms, if desired, in butter on medium heat in a medium stockpot.
• Add half and half, evaporated milk and cornstarch and reduce heat to med-low.
• Stir until slightly thickened, adding more cornstarch as needed.
• Separate clams from clam broth. Stir in clam broth, potato, corn, and stir. Reduce heat to low. Cover and allow to simmer for 30 minutes or more, stirring occasionally. Add clams and simmer for 10 minutes. Top with parsley and Old Bay. Makes a hearty meal if served with biscuits.

LOW-FAT CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large nonstick saucepan, cook bacon and onion over medium heat until onion is tender. Add the potatoes, clams, broth, celery and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. , In a small bowl, combine flour and half-and-half until smooth; stir into potato mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

PRESSURE-COOKER SONORAN CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Select saute setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Adjust for medium heat; add bacon. Cook until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 2 tablespoons in pan. Add butter to drippings in pressure cooker. Cook and stir onion, red pepper and chiles until tender, 7-9 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Press cancel., Drain clams; pour juice into pressure cooker. Set clams aside. Stir in potatoes and stock. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 4 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 4 minutes; quick-release any remaining pressure. Select sauté setting and adjust for low heat. Add clams, cream, taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon cilantro; simmer, uncovered, until mixture is heated through, 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press cancel. Serve with bacon and remaining 1 tablespoon cilantro.