How To Make New England Clam Chowder

  • April 8, 2010
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NickS from Nick Sansivero (and 2 others)

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There are almost as many variations of this hearty soup as there are varieties of clams. Try this basic recipe for a satisfying, warming meal.

You Will Need

  • 5 lb. hard-shelled clams
  • 4 oz. salt pork or pancetta
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 3 potatoes
  • 1 c. milk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 c. heavy cream
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Parsley
  • Oyster crackers
  • A large soup pot
  • A measuring cup
  • A paring knife
  • 2 tbsp. flour
How To Make New England Clam Chowder: Chop the clams

Step 1: Chop the clams

Discard any clams that did not open. Let the clams cool; then cut the meat out with a paring knife and chop coarsely. Wash the soup pot.

How To Make New England Clam Chowder: Cook the salt pork or pancetta

Step 2: Cook the salt pork or pancetta

Dice the salt pork or pancetta and add to the soup pot. Cook until crisp.

How To Make New England Clam Chowder: Add the onion and celery

Step 3: Add the onion and celery

Dice the onion and celery and add to the salt pork or pancetta. Cook until soft.

For a quicker recipe, substitute two cups freshly shucked clams or three cans minced clams, plus one bottle clam juice.

How To Make New England Clam Chowder: Add the potatoes

Step 4: Add the potatoes

Stir in the reserved clam broth or bottled clam juice, plus the milk. Peel the potatoes and cut into cubes. Add them to the pot with the bay leaf and thyme and simmer until tender.

How To Make New England Clam Chowder: Steam the clams

Step 5: Steam the clams

Wash the clams thoroughly under cold running water and add them to three cups boiling water in a large soup pot. Boil for three to five minutes.

Mix two tablespoons flour with two tablespoons cold water; and cook and stir for one minute for thicker chowder.

How To Make New England Clam Chowder: Finish and serve

Step 6: Finish and serve

Add the cream and the clam meat. Simmer and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with oyster crackers. You’ll be saying “chowdah” before you know it.

How To Make New England Clam Chowder: Save the clam broth

Step 7: Save the clam broth

Remove the steamed clams and set aside. Pour off two cups of the steaming water into a measuring cup.m

Did you know? Hard-shell clams can live for 40 years.

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