Recipe The Cliff House Clam Chowder From The Cliff House In Ogunquit Maine

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.

CLIFF HOUSE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• To Create The Cliff House Spice Blend, blend 4 tsps oregano, 4 tsps dried parsley, 2 tsps marjoram, 2 tsps dill, 4 tsps thyme, 4 tsps basil, 1 tsp sage, 4 tsps rosemary, 2 tsps tarragon, 1 tablespoon all- purpose flour, crushing in a mortar if possible. Store in a resealable plastic bag to refrigerate. In a heavy-bottomed, 4-pint soup kettle, sauté bacon, butter, onion, garlic and The Cliff House Spice Blend over low heat. Do not allow to brown. Drain clams and set aside, reserving the juice. Slowly stir the flour and clam juices in the sauté mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add Half and Half and simmer 20 minutes. Add white pepper, potatoes and clams. Heat to serving temperature. Do not allow to boil, as this toughens the clams. Serve at once with crackers and warm cornbread.

OYSTER HOUSE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Bring potatoes and clam juice to a boil. Cook until potatoes are done. Add the clams, along with any surplus juice. Cook until tender, careful not to overcook and toughen the clams. Set aside.
• Skin the salt pork, dice it, and saute in a pan. Cook until rendered. Add onions and saute until translucent. Add butter, melt, and cook slightly. Add flour. If mixture is too loose, add a little more flour. Cook until slightly colored.
• Bring clams, juice and potatoes back to boil. Add cooked flour and salt pork mixture. Sauce will thicken, so stir often. Bring to a rolling boil. Add previously heated half-and-half to desired consistency. Season, to taste, with salt, pepper, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Serve with Oyster or Pilot crackers.

CLIFF HOUSE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed, 4-pint soup kettle, sauté bacon, butter, onion, garlic and The Cliff House Spice Blend over low heat. Do not allow to brown.
• Drain clams and set aside, reserving the juice. Slowly stir the flour and clam juices in the sauté mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add half-and-half and simmer 20 minutes.
• Add white pepper, potatoes and clams. Heat to serving temperature. Do not allow to boil, as this toughens the clams. Serve at once with crackers and warm cornbread.

THE CHART HOUSE CLAM CHOWDER (COPYCAT) INCLUDING SPICE BLEND

Steps:

• Directions for The Chart House Spice Blend:.
• Blend ingredients, crushing in a mortar if possible. Store in a resealable plastic bag to refrigerate.
• For the Clam Chowder:.
• In a heavy-bottomed, 4-pint soup kettle, saute bacon, butter, onion, garlic and The Cliff House Spice Blend over low heat. Do not allow to brown.
• Drain clams and set aside, reserving the juice. Slowly stir the flour and clam juices in the saute mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add half and half and simmer 20 minutes.
• Add white pepper, potatoes and clams. Heat to serving temperature. Do not allow to boil, as this toughens the clams. Serve at once with crackers and warm cornbread.