Foodie Blogroll

Monday, October 18, 2010

New England Clam Chowder


This weeks project for Martha Mondays was New England Clam Chowder and was selected by Ana at Sweet Almond Tree. We like clam chowder and usually go just over the bridge onto the key to get what they claim is the best in town. I've made it once before and was ready to try this one. It was a pretty straight forward recipe, but I did make just a few changes. Now I didn't go out and dig up my own clams (I don't know where some of you might of got that idea from) or even drag home an 8 pound sack of quahogs and shuck them and chop them, after all I did have to go to work today! :D I used frozen clams, and I used dried thyme, just because I don't like fresh thyme., and threw in a little of my Bonne Herbes blend, I like chives and tarragon in my clam chowder. Oh...

...and I used shallots not the little pearl onions. Other than that it was all spot on!


Ingredients:

6 strips bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces (I did a little smaller)
3 ribs celery, strings removed, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 cup small pearl onion, peeled (I used shallots)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups unsalted clam juice
4 small Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 dried bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 large sprigs fresh thyme
2 containers fresh, raw chopped clams, rinsed.
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt

In a stockpot, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain it on paper towels and and set it aside. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. Add the onions, saute, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the onions are translucent, about 7 minutes.
Sprinkle flour over the onions and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the clam juice, 1 cup water, the celery, potatoes, bay leaves, and pepper, cover and bring to a boil. Pick thyme leaves from stems and add both leaves and stems to pot. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until the potatoes are almost fork tender, about 12 minutes.
Add the corn and cook 5 minutes.
Add the clams and cook 5 minutes over medium heat.
Add the milk and butter and cook until the butter melts, about 5 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and thyme stems, season with salt and pepper, garnish with bacon pieces and serve.
Recipes source: Martha Stewart


It was a hit with everyone, my brother-in-law was over and he gave it a thumbs up too. The only thing I think is funny she uses milk instead of cream which makes it lighter, but then she has you use bacon and bacon grease to fry the onion and celery. Kinda makes you go Huh?
Visit Brette's blog Martha and Me to check out how the other's turned out. (I'm not the only one that didn't use the fresh clams)


17 comments:

  1. It does look great Lyndsey. I love clam chowder but have never made it myself. Martha's recipe does look pretty easy and straightforward (which we know isn't always the case). :o)

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  2. Hi Lyndsey. I'm so glad you liked it. I don't think anyone who made it used quahogs, everybody went the easier way with ready to cook clams. I loved that you added the bonne herbes and shallots, I bet they added a lot of extra flavor. By the way I bought ginger and molasses but I have yet to get in the kitchen and make your cookies. Will get there though...

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  3. Gee, Lyndz... I should stopped making those creamy soup like this one here. X'mas & New Year just 2 months away and the Chinese New Year is just 3 months away. I hope my dresses can still fit in by then. =o( Yours look so seducing! ewww.... Have a great day, dear!
    Kristy

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  4. Whenever I visit the N. American Eastern coast I dive into a clam chowder...mmm...delicious! I have yet to make it myself. Thanks for this very appetizing recipe ;o)

    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  5. Rebecca, yes it was! n:D

    Brenda, it was pretty easy to make (except for the digging up the clams and dragging an 8 pound bag back to shuck)hehe!

    Ana, I only said it because I was teasing the others about digging up the clams, Ha! It was a good recipe, and good choice, except for Pru who wouldn't do clams...lol!

    Kristy, so I guess that makes us even hehe!

    Claudia, it is pretty easy if you use ready made store bought frozen or canned clams!

    Everyone have a great day!

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  6. I love clam chowda!!! Although, I prefer Manhattan, but every once in a while, I want a bowl of NE! How dare you not use fresh clams ;)..LOL, I don't even think I can get fresh clams. Sounds great!

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  7. This looks really good. I'm still not doing the clams though. And nearly all seafood I will still be staying away from! But it does look good.

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  8. Jennifurla - thanks!!

    girlichef - I know...I'm slipping ;D

    Pru - It was good, clams and all...lol! You could make it and subsitute the clams for something else (that's what I do when a recipe calls for shrimp, I don't do shrimp)

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  9. So delish! I love your savory additions to the recipe, and this would be perfect for the overcast, slightly chilly day we have here! Your posts always remind me of how much deliciousness is waiting to be discovered in the kitchen!

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  10. I simply adore homemade clam chowder, especially freshly harvested clams. YUM, I haven't had something like this in years. Thank you for sharing! I'm jealous of your clam access! I'm now your newest follower!

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  11. Clam chowder is definitely in my top 10 comfort foods. Yours sounds wonderful.

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  12. You clam chowder looks so delicious! This is one soup I've never made myself - but love to eat!

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  13. I am your newest follower! Cna't wait to have more time to take a little look around. This chowder looks fabulous!

    anne
    www.anniebakes.net

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  14. Jenn, thanks so much! Your comments are always a pleasure to read and bring a smile to my face :)

    Erin, thanks for your comment. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you enjoy it here.

    Kristen, thank you!

    Reeni, I've only made it twice and have enjoyed it both time, I should make it more!

    Annie, thank you for visiting and following! It is so nice to meet you. I have enjoyed checking out your blog too! See you around!

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  15. My hubby asked if you were serious about digging up the clams and I said I think so, she lives in Florida. Hahaha, the jokes on us! You got me. That was pretty funny! ;)
    We liked the chowder too but cream would have been so much better. And I'm not sure that I liked the corn in it.

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