Best Cape Cod Clam Chowdah Recipes

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.

CAPTAIN PARKER'S CHOWDER

Steps:

• Put the salt pork on a plate and wrap in plastic. Cook in microwave for 2 1/2 minutes. Meanwhile, make roux with the same amounts of butter and flour. Add 3/4 pound of flour to 3/4 pound of the butter and stir. Make the roux pourable but not too loose or too thick. Begin to cook on low flame or in an oven until the roux is nice and hot. In a heavy bottomed pot, put the remaining 1/4 pound butter and the salt pork. After the salt pork gets lightly browned, take the chunks out. Add the onion, celery and herbs, let it saute for about 5 minutes. Add water and potatoes and bring it to a boil. Then add the clam base, keep stirring so the base and potatoes don't stick or burn to the bottom of the pan. Add the clams and their juice. When the potatoes become slightly tender bring everything back to a boil and start adding the hot roux. Turn the flame down a little and let simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Slowly add the light cream to the base until you get the right creamy chowder, not too thick or thin. Season with salt and pepper.

QUAHOG CHOWDER

Steps:

• Mince the clams.
• Place bacon or salt pork in the bottom of a large kettle and fry for five minutes.
• Add onion and cook until golden.
• Cover potatoes in boiling water; parboil for five minutes.
• Drain and reserve water.
• Place a layer of potatoes and a layer of minced clams in the kettle with onion; sprinkle with flour and salt/pepper.
• Add remaining potatoes, dredge remaining flour and salt/pepper.
• Cover with 3 cups of boiling water (including the potato water) and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
• Add milk and bring up to boiling point.
• Blend butter or bacon fat with the tablespoon of flour; add clam juice and stir until thickened.
• Add slowly to chowder just before serving.
• Serve hot with crackers.