Legal Seafood Clam Chowder

LEGAL SEAFOOD'S CLAM CHOWDER RECIPE

Steps:

• Clean the clams and place them in a large pot along with the garlic and water. Steam the clams until they open (about 6 to 10 minutes, depending upon their size).
• Drain and shell the clams, reserving the broth in a bowl.
• Mince the clam flesh and set aside. Filter the clam broth either through coffee filters or cheesecloth and set aside.
• In a large, heavy pot slowly render the salt pork . Remove the cracklings and set them aside.
• Slowly cook the onions in the fat, stirring frequently for about 6 minutes, or until cooked through but not browned.
• Stir in the flour and cook while stirring continuously for 3 minutes.
• Add the reserved clam broth and fish stock, and whisk to remove any flour lumps .
• Bring the liquid to a boil, add the potatoes, lower the heat, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through (about 15 minutes).
• Stir in the reserved clams, salt pork cracklings, and light cream. Heat the chowder until it is the temperature you prefer.
• Serve in large soup bowls with oyster crackers on the side. Recipe Source: "Legal Seafoods Cookbook" by George Berkowitz, Jane Doerfer (Doubleday). Reprinted with permission.

SEAFOOD CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Saute veggies in butter til soft.
• Turn heat to low and add flour, stir until absorbed.
• Add seafood with juices, and half and half, and bring up to serving temperature or until it thickens.
• Do not let it boil.
• Just below boiling point,it should be thickened, add lemon pepper just before service with a stir.
• Garnish each bowl with fresh chopped parsley, and serve with plenty of garlic toast or oyster crackers.

LEGAL SEAFOOD'S NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in large covered saucepot.
• Add the clams and garlic Cook 6-10 min over med-high heat, or until the clams have just opened.
• Drain clams, reserving the broth.
• Strain the broth through coffee filters/cheesecloth to remove grit.
• Remove the clams from their shells, chop finely.
• In a large heavy saucepot, cook the salt pork over low heat until the fat is rendered and becomes liquid.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the"cracklings" and reserve them.
• Add the onions to the fat; cook over med-high heat for 5-7 minutes, til softened but not browned.
• Add in flour; cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add the reserved clam broth, the 4-1/2 c.
• of clam broth and the fish stock; whisk to remove lumps.
• Bring the liquid to a boil; add potatoes, Reduce heat, simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through.
• Stir in the clams, salt pork and the light cream.
• Heat chowder to desired temperature.
• Serve with oyster crackers.

LEGAL'S INAUGURAL FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large saucepan until softened.
• Add the onions, carrots, and garlic and sauté.
• Stir frequently, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and slowly stir in the flour.
• Return to the heat, and cook, stirring, for about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, begin heating the stock in a large pot.
• Whisk the stock into the flour mixture.
• Bring the stock to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the fish and simmer about 10 minutes longer.
• Stir in the cream and cheese.
• Simmer until the cheese melts, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• (You won't distinguish the cheese as such; it is incorporated into the chowder.) Reheat the chowder slowly so the cream doesn't boil.