Hog Island Clam Chowder Food

RHODE ISLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Rinse the clams several times under cold running water. Transfer to a large pot and add 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover and cook until the clams open, about 8 minutes. Remove the clams with a slotted spoon and transfer to a deep bowl as they open; cover with plastic wrap so they don't dry out. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Wipe out the pot, then pour the strained broth back into the pot.
• Meanwhile, put the bacon in a large skillet and cover with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 10 minutes; drain, then return the bacon to the skillet. Add 1 tablespoon butter and cook until the bacon starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to the pot with the broth. Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the onion and celery to the skillet and cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent, about 6 minutes.
• Add the onion and celery mixture to the broth along with the potatoes. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper.
• While the potatoes are cooking, remove the clams from their shells and roughly chop.
• Add the clams to the soup and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with chopped parsley.
• Per serving: Calories: 434; Total Fat: 23 grams; Saturated Fat: 9 grams; Protein: 21 grams; Total carbohydrates: 37 grams; Sugar: 2 grams; Fiber: 3 grams; Cholesterol: 65 milligrams; Sodium: 858 milligrams

QUAHOG CHOWDER

Steps:

• Mince the clams.
• Place bacon or salt pork in the bottom of a large kettle and fry for five minutes.
• Add onion and cook until golden.
• Cover potatoes in boiling water; parboil for five minutes.
• Drain and reserve water.
• Place a layer of potatoes and a layer of minced clams in the kettle with onion; sprinkle with flour and salt/pepper.
• Add remaining potatoes, dredge remaining flour and salt/pepper.
• Cover with 3 cups of boiling water (including the potato water) and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
• Add milk and bring up to boiling point.
• Blend butter or bacon fat with the tablespoon of flour; add clam juice and stir until thickened.
• Add slowly to chowder just before serving.
• Serve hot with crackers.

THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Put the clams in a large, heavy Dutch oven, add about 4 cups water, then set over medium-high heat. Cover, and cook until clams have opened, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. (Clams that fail to open after 15 to 20 minutes should be discarded.) Strain clam broth through a sieve lined with cheesecloth or doubled-up paper towels, and set aside. Remove clams from shells, and set aside as well.
• Rinse out the pot, and return it to the stove. Add butter, and turn heat to medium-low. Add bacon or salt pork, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the pork has started to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove pork from fat, and set aside.
• Add the leeks to the fat, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in potatoes and wine, and continue cooking until wine has evaporated and the potatoes have just started to soften, approximately 5 minutes. Add enough clam broth to just cover the potatoes, approximately 3 cups, reserving the rest for another use. Add the thyme and the bay leaf.
• Partly cover the pot, and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the clams into bits about the size of the bacon dice.
• When potatoes are tender, add cream and stir in chopped clams and reserved bacon. Add black pepper to taste. Let come to a simmer, and remove from heat. (Do not let chowder come to a full boil.) Fish out the thyme and the bay leaf, and discard.
• The chowder should be allowed to sit for a while to cure. Reheat it to a bare simmer before serving, then garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with oyster crackers.

TRADITIONAL MANHATTAN CLAM CHOWDER (A.K.A. CONEY ISLAND OR FULTO

Steps:

• Start the Cauldron over medium high heat and add oil and butter. As soon as the butter stops foaming add the red pepper flake, onions, celery and carrots.
• Cook until onion is translucent being careful not to burn. Add the garlic and chopped bacon or ham.
• Cook until the meat gets a light brown on it, then add potatoes, clam juice and clams with the liquor from the cans. Add enough water to just cover the potatoes. Add the bay leaves and Thyme.
• Pour the tomatoes into a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until just crushed, leaving some larger bits if desired. Add tomatoes to the Cauldron and bring to a light boil for about 10 minutes.
• Add a few twists of pepper. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Salt to taste, then add some of the parsley during the simmer. Save some parsley for garnish.
• Serve hot with buttered toast points or saltine crackers.