Seaside Serenity Creamy Clam Chowder That Sings
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a bowl of comfort? Ever had a proper creamy clam chowder recipe that warms you right up? This recipe hits the spot with its rich flavor and comforting texture.
It’s like a big hug in a bowl.
Brief Overview
Clam chowder is a classic dish, especially in New England. It's easy enough to make on a chilly evening. This easy clam chowder recipe yields 6 servings. Perfect for a family meal!
Main Benefits
This recipe is packed with protein and good fats. It’s ideal for a cosy night in. What makes this homemade clam chowder soup so special? The creamy texture and the burst of clam flavor.
Craving a Taste of the Sea?
Do you think what I think you might? This Best clam chowder recipe reminds me of seaside holidays. Fresh air, salty breeze, and a big bowl of New England clam chowder recipe .
Honestly, it’s hard to beat.
This recipe takes about an hour from start to finish. Totally worth it. It's not just food but a good memory.
The key ingredient? Fresh clams! Okay, maybe canned clams. Use the best you can find for great seafood chowder recipe .
This quick clam chowder recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping. Yum!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let's get down to brass tacks. You'll need bacon, onion, celery, and potatoes. Obviously, you'll need clams. And don't forget the heavy cream!
Creamy Delight: How To Make It
This recipe involves a few simple steps. Render the bacon, sauté the veggies, and make a roux. Then add broth, potatoes, and clams.
Finish with heavy cream for that luscious texture. We are using clams to produce a very tasty White Clam Chowder .
Ingredients & Equipment
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? Here's what you need to rustle up this Seaside Serenity : Creamy Clam Chowder masterpiece, inspired by the best Recipe For Clam Chowder you can imagine.
Main Ingredients
- Bacon: 4 slices (about 110g ), diced. Go for good quality streaky bacon; it adds a proper smoky punch.
- Onion: 1 medium yellow onion (approx. 150g or 1 cup ), diced.
- Celery: 2 stalks (approx. 100g or 1/2 cup ), diced.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons unsalted ( 30g ).
- Flour: 1/4 cup all-purpose ( 30g ). This is what makes your Homemade Clam Chowder Soup
- Chicken Broth: 4 cups ( 950ml ).
- Potatoes: 2 cups Yukon Gold, peeled and diced (approx. 400g ). They need to be waxy!
- Thyme: 1 teaspoon dried. Adds a little somethin' somethin'!
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste.
- Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste.
- Bay Leaf: 1 . Don't forget to take it out later!
- Clams: 2 cans ( 6.5 ounce each) chopped clams, undrained (approx. 370g total). I found some great canned clams recently.
- Cream: 2 cups heavy cream ( 470ml ). Using heavy cream is what makes the Clam Chowder With Heavy Cream
- Parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh, for garnish.
- Oyster Crackers: For serving, naturally!
Seasoning Notes
Right, so, listen up, spice is your friend!
- Essential Combo: Thyme, salt, and pepper are key. Seriously. Get the seasoning on point!
- Flavor Enhancers: A pinch of smoked paprika can work wonders, or you know just to give it that extra oomph!
- Substitutions: No thyme? A bit of savory or oregano will do in a pinch. Don't let a little thing like that stop you!
Equipment Needed
Honestly, you don't need the fanciest bits and bobs. This is a Simple Clam Chowder Recipe , after all.
- Dutch Oven: Or a heavy bottomed pot will do the trick.
- Wooden Spoon: Or a spatula.
- Measuring Utensils: Cups and spoons.
- Knife & Board: Obvious, innit?
And that's all there is to it, my love! Follow this Easy Clam Chowder Recipe and you're sorted. Now you have all ingredients for a Quick Clam Chowder Recipe , you will be cooking the Best Clam Chowder Recipe ever.
Seaside Serenity: Creamy Clam Chowder That Sings
This isn't your nan's watery chowder, my loves. We’re making a proper, rich, and creamy New England clam chowder recipe that’s packed with tender clams.
There's potatoes and a hint of smoky bacon. It's inspired by classic coastal flavours. It delivers a bowl of comfort.
You'll be craving the seaside. Even if you're miles inland. Honestly, this might just be the best clam chowder recipe you ever make!
Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place
First, dice 4 slices of bacon (110g). Then, dice 1 medium yellow onion (150g) and 2 celery stalks (100g). Next, peel and dice 2 cups of Yukon Gold potatoes (400g).
Open 2 cans of chopped clams (370g total). Remember to get your 2 tablespoons of parsley ready for garnish. Having everything prepped saves time later.
It also makes cooking so much easier. Trust me , you don't want to be fumbling for ingredients mid-cook.
From Hob to Heaven: A step-by-step Recipe For Clam Chowder
- Cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside. Leave the bacon fat in the pot. Oh my gosh , the smell alone is divine!
- Add the diced onion and celery to the bacon fat. Then add 2 tablespoons butter (30g). Sauté until softened, about 5- 7 minutes.
- Sprinkle in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30g). Cook, stirring constantly, for 1- 2 minutes. You want a roux, see? That's what thickens the chowder.
- Gradually whisk in 4 cups chicken broth (950ml). Make sure no lumps form, alright? Add the diced potatoes. Also, add 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 bay leaf.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 15- 20 minutes . This allows the flavours to properly meld.
- Stir in the clams (with their juice!), the cooked bacon, and 2 cups heavy cream (470ml). This is where the magic happens ! We get a Clam Chowder With Heavy Cream .
- Gently heat through. Important: Do not boil! The cream might curdle. Nobody wants that.
- Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Now you can serve!
Pro Tips for Clam Chowder Perfection
Don't overcook the clams. Overcooked clams get rubbery. No one wants that. Add them at the end and gently heat through.
Honestly , low and slow is key. Simmering allows the flavours to combine and thicken beautifully. Want a thicker chowder? Mash some of the potatoes with a spoon.
Boom! Now you have a Homemade Clam Chowder Soup with very little effort. You'll have a Simple Clam Chowder Recipe !
Right then, let’s talk about making this creamy clam chowder recipe even more smashing, shall we? Here are a few pointers and cheeky ideas to really nail it.
Recipe Notes for Your Seaside Serenity
Serving Suggestions: Bits and Bobs to Make it Special
Honestly, presentation is half the battle, innit? Ladle your Homemade Clam Chowder Soup into warmed bowls. A sprinkle of fresh parsley really makes it pop.
I sometimes swirl in a tiny bit of cream for that extra fancy touch, you know?
For sides, think about crusty bread. It's perfect for dunking! Or a simple side salad something fresh and zingy to cut through the richness of the Clam Chowder With Heavy Cream .
A crisp white wine? Go on, you deserve it!
Storage Tips: Keeping It Fresh, Mate!
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let the Simple Clam Chowder Recipe cool completely. Then, bung it in the fridge in an airtight container.
It’ll keep for about 2-3 days. Honestly, it often tastes even better the next day because the flavours have had time to mingle.
Freezing? It’s a bit trickier. The cream can sometimes separate when you defrost it. If you’re freezing, I'd suggest leaving the cream out until you reheat it.
Then stir it in gently. Reheat on the hob on low heat. Don't boil it, or the cream could curdle! That's a right disaster, that is.
Variations: Mix It Up a Bit!
Fancy a bit of a twist? How about a Seafood chowder recipe and adding some smoked haddock? It gives it a lovely smoky flavour.
For a dairy-free option, you can use full fat coconut milk instead of cream. I've tried it and it is still pretty lush.
Need a Recipe For Clam Chowder and need to keep it gluten-free? Just make sure your flour is a gluten-free blend.
Nutrition Basics: The Good Stuff
Alright, no one's pretending this White Clam Chowder is a salad, but it does have some good bits. Clams are packed with protein and minerals, and potatoes give you a bit of energy.
It's comfort food that actually fills you up, unlike those silly crisps. For a lighter Easy clam chowder recipe , swap some heavy cream for milk.
Right, off you pop! Don't be afraid to give this Best clam chowder recipe a go. Even if you mess it up a bit, it'll still taste better than anything you buy in a tin.
And who knows? You might just create the Quick clam chowder recipe of your dreams. Happy cooking, love! It´s an New England Clam Chowder recipe so easy, even I can do it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this creamy clam chowder recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely, you can! In fact, like a good cheese, this creamy clam chowder often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Just let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. When reheating, do it gently over low heat to avoid curdling the cream.
Help! My creamy clam chowder is too thick! What do I do?
Don't panic, it's an easy fix! If your chowder is thicker than a London fog, simply stir in a bit more chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency. A splash of milk can also work in a pinch, but broth will maintain the savory flavour profile.
Can I freeze this creamy clam chowder recipe?
Freezing clam chowder can be a bit tricky due to the dairy content, which sometimes separates upon thawing. However, if you're determined, it's best to omit the cream until after thawing and reheating. Add fresh cream at the end for the best texture.
Be sure to cool it completely before freezing in an airtight container or freezer bag.
I'm not a fan of bacon. Can I still make this creamy clam chowder recipe?
Of course! While the bacon adds a lovely smoky flavour, you can definitely leave it out for a vegetarian version. For a little extra flavour, you could add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to mimic some of that smokiness.
Alternatively, you could use pancetta if you want a slightly different pork flavour, or skip the pork altogether and sauté the vegetables in olive oil or butter.
What are some good substitutions I can make in this creamy clam chowder recipe?
Loads of substitutions can be made! If you don't have Yukon Gold potatoes, any waxy potato like red potatoes will work. For a dairy-free option, use full fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream. And if you are running low on chicken broth you can use vegetable broth as a substitute!
How do I prevent the cream from curdling in my creamy clam chowder recipe?
Curdling cream is a common chowder problem, but easily avoided. Never boil the chowder after adding the cream; simply heat it through gently. Also, adding a tablespoon of flour to the roux helps stabilize the cream. Stir continuously while heating through!
Seaside Serenity Creamy Clam Chowder That Sings
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 30g |
| Fiber | 0g |
