Description
Hearty New England Clam Chowder beckons with rich, velvety comfort straight from coastal kitchens. Smooth seafood flavors and tender potatoes create a soul-warming bowl that connects coastal traditions with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Seafood Ingredients:
- 2 cans (6.5 ounces/184 grams each) clams, drained and chopped
- 1 cup clam juice (from canned clams)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy, Thickening, and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Crumbled bacon for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by gently melting butter in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate heat, then introduce finely chopped onions, delicate celery, and minced garlic, allowing them to soften and release their fragrant essence for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate diced potatoes into the vegetable mixture, then dust with flour, stirring carefully to create a light, even coating that will help thicken the chowder’s texture.
- Pour in clam juice and selected broth, stirring to integrate the liquid with the vegetables, then reduce heat and simmer patiently until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 10-12 minutes.
- Introduce chopped clams, velvety heavy cream, and smooth milk to the simmering pot, blending ingredients gently while maintaining a low temperature to prevent curdling and allow flavors to harmonize.
- Elevate the soup’s profile with aromatic thyme, and season judiciously with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
- Transfer the luxurious chowder into serving bowls, garnishing with vibrant fresh parsley and optional crispy bacon crumbles for an additional layer of complexity and textural contrast.
Notes
- Swap bacon for crispy pancetta or smoked salmon to add a gourmet twist to the traditional chowder.
- Use plant-based butter and dairy-free milk alternatives to create a delicious vegan version of this classic soup.
- Choose smaller, tender clams like littleneck or cherrystone for a more delicate texture and sweeter flavor profile.
- Prevent cream from curdling by adding dairy ingredients at low heat and stirring continuously during the final cooking stage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 90mg