The key to a great chowder is using high-quality ingredients. Good quality potatoes, onions, bacon, and dairy, are critical.
Also, make sure that you use a variety of clams – small, medium, and large are all acceptable. Clams are hearty, meaty seafood that will add a depth of flavor to your soup.
It’s Delicious
The savory flavors of fresh seafood and vegetables combine to make this hearty soup. You can choose a thick creamy base, a bold red broth, or even a clear broth of clam juice. It’s comforting, satisfying, and easy to make. The sky is the limit when it comes to making this classic meal.
The best clam chowder in San Francisco is perfect for winter, but it can be enjoyed year-round. Clam chowder is also one of the best leftover dishes. It will stay delicious in the refrigerator for a day or two and can be heated up quickly on the stove.
Clam chowder is excellent when served with a side salad or bread. If you’re looking for a healthier option, quinoa pilaf is a delicious side dish that goes well with most types of clam chowder. This side dish has a mix of veggies, and it’s topped with pomegranate for added flavor and crunch. This is a healthy recipe that’s full of protein and fiber. Plus, it can be eaten as a meal on its own.
It’s Easy to Make
Clam chowder is one of the easiest soups to make. You can whip it up using the right recipe in over 30 minutes. The main ingredients are clams, milk and cream, plain flour, onions, bacon, and spices or condiments. You can also add potatoes to the dish to thicken it.
To prepare the dish, fry some bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Use paper towels to soak up the extra grease, and then cook the onions in the bacon drippings until softened. Add some thyme and black pepper. You can substitute it with a chicken base if you need more bacon. Chicken bases are concentrated chicken stock found in powder or paste forms. You can use a whole can of minced clams, or you can add some frozen clam juice as well. Mix the drippings with some flour and stir well to remove any lumps. Add the remaining ingredients, including reserved clam juice and chicken broth, a little milk and half-and-half, and the potatoes. Stir, bring to a boil, and serve.
It’s Rich
Clam Chowder contains milk and cream, which adds to the richness of this dish. In addition, clam chowder recipes call for bacon, which adds to the savory aspect of the word. You can use the smoked variety of bacon or regular bacon. Smoked bacon is a little smokier and has a distinct flavor.
Cook the bacon in a sizable saucepan over medium heat until it is browned and crisp to produce a traditional chowder. Then take the bacon out of the pan and set it aside to drain on a platter lined with paper towels. Then, sauté the onions and celery in the bacon fat until soft. To remove the raw flavor, stir in the flour and simmer for one minute. The milk is then added gradually while being constantly whisked to avoid lumps. Simmer the vegetables with the added mixture before serving. Salt and pepper the potatoes and then incorporate them. Then cook over low heat until the potatoes are soft, and the chowder is thick. Serve with the reserved sliced bacon on top.
It’s Healthy
Clam Chowder is a healthy soup. You can make it healthier by skipping the bacon and using low-sodium canned clam juice. You can also try a recipe that uses brown rice instead of white potatoes to add more fiber and reduce the number of calories in the dish. This will also increase the nutritional value of the chowder.
The smoky taste of bacon helps to add flavor to the chowder without adding too many calories. You can also add a bit of spice, such as red pepper flakes or cayenne, to give it more kick.
You can also make a healthy recipe by replacing the bacon with lean turkey or chicken. This will lower the fat content, but it will still be tasty. You can also save some of the chowder for later by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just be sure to reheat it gently over low heat before serving.
It’s Fun to Eat
Clam chowder is fun to eat, especially when you enjoy it alongside a bowl of bread or a roll. It’s the perfect complement to any soup. You can even add some croutons to your bowl for an added crunch. In addition, try to avoid adding too much salt to your chowder. This is because clams already have a fair amount of sodium, and you don’t want to overdo it with the salt. You should also remember that clam chowder can be very rich, so you should limit how much you eat at one time. By doing this, overeating and weight gain will be reduced. Additionally, the chowder contains a lot of protein, which might make you feel satiated and full.
