My Favorite Boston Clam Chowder Recipes

MY BEST CLAM CHOWDER

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.

MY FAVORITE BOSTON CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Drain the clams and reserve the liquid. In a large pot, place the vegetables and pour the claim juice over the top. Add enough water to barely cover the vegetables.
• Simmer over medium heat until the vegetables are almost tender (don't overcook them in this step!), about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour, making a roux with a wire whisk. Constantly stirring, add the half-and-half slowly. Cook and stir until smooth and thickened, without boiling.
• When slightly thickened, add the roux to the vegetables and add the clams, salt, vinegar and pepper (to taste). Can keep warm (without boiling!) for a up to an hour or serve immediately.

BOSTON CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Dice bacon and cook in a Dutch oven or large stockpot over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Add butter to the bacon drippings.
• Chop celery ribs, onion, and potatoes. Set the potatoes aside. Mince garlic.Add the chopped celery and onion to the butter and bacon drippings. Saute over medium heat until the onions are soft, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute.
• Add the potatoes, clam juice, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper to the stockpot. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.
• In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup of half and half and mix until smooth. Gradually pour the flour mixture into the soup. Turn heat up to medium and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir for 1-2 minutes, until the soup has thickened. Discard bay leaf.
• Add the remaining half and half and the clams. Cook until heated through. Do not boil.
• Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if desired. If you want a thinner soup, add additional chicken broth or cream.
• Serve into individual bowls, top with bacon crumbles and chives, and serve with oyster crackers.

LOW CALORIE BOSTON CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Set out a 3 quart saucepan.
• Add 1/2 cup clam liquid, onions, carrots, water, salt, pepper& thyme.
• Meanwhile cut the clams in half.
• When the veggies are tender put in the clams and gradually add milk.
• stirring all the while.
• Simmer 5 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped parsley.

YUMMY BOSTON CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Cook first 5 ingredients with the juice from the clams.
• Cook gently until potatoes are tender.
• Add clams.
• Mix milk and flour.
• Stir into soup.
• Cook and stir until thickened.
• Add butter.

MY FAVORITE NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Brown the bacon until crisp in a thick-bottomed soup pot.
• Pour off half the fat.
• Add the onions and celery with a splash of water and saute for a few minutes until soft.
• Add the white wine, cream, milk, and the juice/nectar.
• Add bay leaves, thyme, and the diced potatoes.
• Bring the mixture to a SLOW simmer.
• Continue simmering for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are softened and the chowder has thickened.
• Add the reserved clam meat, evaporated milk and parsley.
• Bring back to a slow simmer.
• Taste the chowder and add enough salt and pepper to season it.
• Serve with your favorite crusty rolls or biscuits!
• Hint- This chowder can be made a day or two in advance and reheated prior to serving. Its flavor actually benefits from resting in the refrigerator overnight.