NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER RECIPE THICK RECIPES

Steps:

• For the clams: Bring the wine and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a large saucepan, stir in the littleneck clams, cover and steam until the clams open, about 5 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Remove the clams with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl to cool.
• Bring the broth back to a boil, add the cockles and cook until open, about 5 minutes. Discard any cockles that do not open. Remove with a slotted spoon to a separate bowl (these will be used in their shells as a garnish).
• Strain the clam broth through a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. Set aside.
• Remove the littleneck clams from their shells and coarsely chop.
• For the potato: Put the potato in a small saucepan, cover with cold water, add 1 tablespoon salt and bring to a boil. Cook until a paring knife inserted into the center meets with some resistance, about 15 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Heat the butter and oil in a cast-iron or nonstick pan until it begins to shimmer. Cut the potato into a 1/2-inch dice. Add the potato to the pan, season with salt and pepper and cook until lightly golden brown on all sides.
• For the bacon: Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and the fat has rendered, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
• For the fried okra: Heat the oil in a small saucepan until it begins to shimmer. While the oil heats, season the okra with salt and pepper, dredge in the cornmeal. Fry in the oil, in batches if needed, until golden brown and just tender, about 4 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt.
• For the chowder: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots, carrot and celery and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the anchovy and chile flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add the clam juice and reserved clam broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, add the reserved littleneck clams and cook for 10 minutes. Add the parsley, oregano and thyme and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the creme fraiche and lemon zest until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Ladle the soup into bowls, top with some of the potatoes, bacon, okra and reserved cockles. Garnish with parsley leaves. 

Steps:

• 1. Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over low heat and add the diced salt pork. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until the pork is a crisp golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cracklings to a small ovenproof dish, leaving the fat in the pot, and reserve until later.
• 2. Add the butter, onions, savory or thyme, and bay leaves to the pot and sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about 8 minutes, until the onions and softened but not browned.
• 3. Add the potatoes and stock. If the stock doesn’#over the potatoes, add just enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center. If the stock hasn’4hickened lightly, smash a few of the potato slices against the side of the pot and cook for a minute or two longer to release their starch. Reduce the heat to low and season assertively with salt and pepper (you want to almost overseason the chowder at this point to avoid having to stir it much once the fish is added). Add the fish fillets and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and allow the chowder to sit for 10 minutes (the fish will finish cooking during this time).
• 4. Gently stir in the cream and taste for salt and pepper. If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let it sit for up to an hour at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.
• 5. When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don’,et it boil. Warm the cracklings in a low oven (200 °F) for a few minutes.
• 6. Use a slotted spoon to mound the chunks of fish, the onions, and potatoes in the center of large soup plates or shallow bowls, and ladle the creamy broth around. Scatter the cracklings over the individual servings and finish each with a sprinkling of chopped parsley and minced chives.
• Strong Fish Stock made with the heads and bones from the cod or haddock you buy for chowder is by far the best choice for this recipe. I urge you to make it, but if you can’4here are alternatives listed in the recipe.
• For equipment, you will need a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot with a lid, a slotted spoon, a wooden spoon, and a ladle.