Conch Chowder The Bahamas Food

CONCH CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large saucepan (soup pot) over high heat, bring conch and 8 cups water to a boil. Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt shortening (or bacon fat). Stir in onion, celery, bell pepper, carrot and garlic and saute until browned. You may have to cook in batches depending on size of skillet. Transfer vegetable to soup pot when cooked.
• Add drained conch and 3 quarts of water to soup pot along with potatoes, tomato puree, tomato paste, oregano, basil, bay leaves and hot pepper sauce.
• Put soup pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until conch are tender and potatoes are cooked. Discard bay leaves. Add salt and pepper to taste.

CONCH CHOWDER RECIPE:

Steps:

• In a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat, add onions, garlic, bell pepper, and tomatoes; cook until vegetables are soft.
• Reduce heat to low; add ground conch meat, potatoes, and enough water to make it soupy but not watery. Let simmer 1 hour. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove from heat and serve in individual soup bowls.
• Makes 6 to 8 servings.

BAHAMIAN STEAMED CONCH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saute pan. Add garlic and onions and saute until onions are fragrant. Add the sweet peppers to the pan and saute for about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, and the thyme. Add the conch and the reserved liquid. Add chile pepper and season, to taste. Allow to simmer until conch is tender and sauce is slightly thickened. Serve over white rice.
• Note: This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

BAHAMIAN CONCH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Saute the onion, celery, carrots, red pepper, potato, thyme, red chili flakes, allspice, and bay leaves for 5 minutes, until they began to soften.
• Add the tomatoes, clam juice, and cold water. Bring to a boil and immediately lower to a simmer.
• If using defrosted conch meat, add now and cook for 35 minutes, uncovered. Then add the malt or red wine vinegar, parsley, scallions, salt, and cayenne pepper, and simmer 5 minutes.
• If using chopped clams, add now along with the malt or red wine vinegar, parsley, scallions, salt, and cayenne pepper, and simmer 5 minutes longer.

COCONUT CONCH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place conch meat in a pot with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook 15 minutes. Drain, and finely chop in a food processor.
• Melt 2 tablespoons margarine in a skillet over medium heat, and mix in the green onions, carrot, celery, sweet potato, red pepper, and corn. Cook and stir 5 minutes.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons margarine in a large pot, and whisk in the flour to create a roux. Pour in the half and half, coconut milk, and fish stock. Mix in the ginger, and season with salt and pepper. Stir the conch and vegetables into the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes. Mix in the hot sauce and cilantro. Continue cooking 15 minutes, or to desired consistency.

CONCH CHOWDER (THE BAHAMAS)

Steps:

• 1. Place the carrots, potato, celery, ham, green pepper, and bay leaf in a large stockpot with the water and cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
• 2. In a heavy skillet, heat the vegetable oil and brown the salt pork. Add the onion and cook until it is tender. Add the tomatoes and the tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes.
• 3. Place the onion, tomato, and pork mixture in the stockpot and add the conch. Bring to a boil.
• 4. Cook the chowder about 30 minutes or until the conch is done, stirring, and add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper and stir to ensure that it is well mixed.
• 5. Taste to verify the seasoning. Allow the conch chowder to sit for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to blend before serving.
• 6. The chowder may be served with a shot glass of rum at each place. Before eating, each diner pours the rum into the chowder. This is totally optional and the rum may be omitted.

BAHAMIAN CONCH CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a very large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon with olive oil over medium heat. When bacon is almost cooked, add garlic and jalapenos and cook for 30 seconds. Raise the heat to medium-high and add the onion, celery, carrots, fennel, and bell peppers. Add herbs, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat. Add the stock, stir in the ground conch and potatoes and bring to a simmer. Add hot red pepper sauce, to taste, and simmer for 10 minutes, then serve, or chill for later use.