Decadent Seafood Chowder

DECADENT SEAFOOD CHOWDER

Steps:

• Melt butter with garlic together in a large pot over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour; cook and stir until mixture makes a paste and is fragrant, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk half-and-half into flour mixture until smooth. Add vegetable soup mix, onion flakes, lemon pepper, thyme, and saffron to half-and-half mixture; cook and stir until mixture thickens, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir salmon, halibut, shrimp, prawns, and scallops into half-and-half mixture; bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring frequently, until seafood is cooked through and chowder is hot, about 30 minutes.

CLAM CHOWDER RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1 tablespoon of the fat rendered in the pot.
• Melt the butter in the stockpot with the bacon fat. Add the garlic, onion and celery, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions become soft but not brown, about 5-6 minutes.
• Whisk in the flour and stir for about a minute trying to get rid of any lumps. Gradually, stir in the white wine and reduce for about 1 minute.
• Add the potatoes, the clam juice, the liquid from the canned clams and the broth. Add the thyme sprigs and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes become tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• When the potatoes are tender, stir in the half and half and the clams and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer (do not let the chowder come to a full boil) and simmer for about 2 minutes. Remove the thyme and bay leaf. If the chowder is too thick, add additional half and half until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately garnished with chopped parsley and the reserved bacon.

PEI LOBSTER CHOWDER RECIPE

Steps:

• Remove and discard the head sac (aka grain sac or stomach (located behind the eyes) from the lobster body, along with any red roe and green tomally. Enclose the shells inside a clean folded over towel. Using a hammer or rolling pin, break up the shells somewhat. Cut the lobster legs into 2-3 pieces.
• To make the lobster stock, heat the olive oil in stock pot over medium heat. Add the lobster shells along with the legs. Cook for about 2 minutes then add any juice from the lobster along with the minced garlic, celery, carrot, onion, bay leaf, and sprigs of fresh thyme and parsley. Add the poultry stock and white wine. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for about an hour. Strain through a fine wire-mesh sieve and discard the solids.
• e To make the bouquet garni, use a small piece (apx. 6" square of double-layer cheesecloth. Place spices in centre of sachet. Gather up corners and tie with heavy thread.
• Heat the butter in large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. When butter is melted, add the onion, celery, carrots, red pepper, and garlic. Sweat the vegetables, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to blend. Cook for a few seconds, stirring constantly to prevent sticking and scorching. Gradually add 2½ cups of the lobster stock along with the white wine, stirring constantly to work out any lumps. Add the potatoes, the bouquet garni, and dried summer savory. Increase heat to medium and bring mixture just to a boil then reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until potatoes are almost, but not quite, fork tender.
• Combine the whipping cream and milk. Remove about 1/3 - ½ cup of the hot liquid from the pot and stir into the milk to temper it. Pour tempered milk into hot mixture and stir to combine well. Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Add the creamed corn, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 4-5 minutes, just until mixture is heated. If mixture is not as thick as desired, mix an additional tablespoon of flour in 2½ tablespoons of water or some leftover lobster stock (if any). Add a tablespoon of the hot chowder to temper it and then stir into the chowder in the pot.
• Add the lobster meat to the chowder along with the fresh herbs, and butter. Heat for about 2-3 minutes on medium-low temperature. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove and discard the bouquet garni. Ladle chowder into warmed bowls and garnish with sprig of parsley and/or chopped chives. Sprinkle lightly with paprika, if desired. Serve with crusty rolls, biscuits, or artisan bread.