Pacific Northwest Clam Chowder Food

PACIFIC SEAFOOD'S CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large, heavy casserole. Add the bacon and saute until crisp. Add the leek, onion and celery and saute until soft and barely golden.
• Stir in the seasonings, clam juice, clams, potatoes and white wine. Cook gently until the potatoes are tender.
• Add the light cream, salt and pepper. Thicken with equal parts flour and butter that have been mixed together.
• [Joan's note: Marranate tells me the chefs create a roux with the butter and flour. Without testing this recipe, I'm not sure how much roux you'll need, so you may as well make a lot. (It keeps well in the freezer, and you can use it to thicken other sauces and soups.).
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over very low heat, melt 1 stick of butter. Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over the butter while whisking the mixture. Cook, whisking continuously, until the mixture is smooth and a pale golden color.
• Add 3/4 of the roux to the soup and continue to cook until the soup thickens. Add the remaining roux if you need it, cooking the soup a bit after the final addition.

PACIFIC RAZOR CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• On high heat in a 2-quart pot, melt the butter.
• Add the onion and garlic and saute' until lightly browned.
• Add the celery, potatoes, chicken stock and white wine.
• Cook until potatoes are done, then add leeks and cream.
• Continue to add herbs, parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
• Let simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, then add the razor clam meat.
• Simmer for 15 more minutes and serve.
• Serve with crusty French bread and more white wine!

NORTHWEST SEAFOOD CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Carefully peel back husks from corn to within 1-in. of bottom; remove silk. Rewrap corn in husks. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, tap clams; discard any that do not close. Place in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-6 minutes or until clams open. Drain. Remove meat from clams; chop and set aside., In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Add the butter, onion, celery and shallot; cook until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir for 10 minutes or until browned (do not burn). Gradually add water and clam juice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Cut corn from cobs. Stir the corn, potatoes, clam stock, parsley, bay leaf, salt, pepper and thyme into soup. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. , Add the scallops, shrimp and clams; cook 3-4 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink and scallops are opaque. Stir in cream; heat through. Discard bay leaf.