Account / Cart ()
{ hello@madhungry.com }
© 2024 LSQ & SONS

 

 

 

Soups & Salads

Creamy New England Clam Chowder

Serves 10
In this slightly lighter yet still rich version of clam chowder, half-and-half mixes with the liquor spilled from the clams, letting the briny goodness of cherrystones and hints of thyme, bay leaf, and celery shine through. Have your crackers ready.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 dozen cherrystone, littleneck, or small quahog clams, scrubbed (2 cups clam meat)
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
  • 2 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 small white onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 celery stalks, tough fibers removed, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 2 stems fresh thyme
  • 1 fresh bay leaf
  • 9 whole black peppercorns
  • 2 small russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
  • Coarse salt

DIRECTIONS

  1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add clams, cover, and cook until shells open, about 10 minutes. Transfer clams to a large bowl, reserving cooking liquid. Discard any clams that do not open. Remove meat from shells, and return to bowl. Discard shells. Pour reserved liquid through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth into a large bowl (you should have 2 1/2 cups). Sprinkle a few tablespoons liquid over clams to keep them moist.
  2. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add bacon, and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Pour off excess drippings, leaving just enough to coat bottom of pot. Add onion and celery, and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Wrap thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a piece of cheesecloth, and tie with kitchen string. Place cheesecloth in pot, and add potatoes and 2 1/2 cups reserved clam broth. Simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Chop clams. Add clams and half-and-half to pot, and heat until just warmed through, about 1 minute. Discard cheesecloth, and season with salt. Serve immediately.
cook's note
Some clams are naturally salty, so taste the soup before adding salt. The soup can be made a day in advance through step 3 and refrigerated overnight.
pantry
Need help with the ingredients? Check our pantry list: