California Clam Chowder Recipes

CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• First, shuck the clams and remove the bellies. Clean the clams and then chop them into small pieces. Put to the side until ready to add to the pot.
• Heat the butter in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the celery and sweet onion and cook, mixing often, until they begin to soften. Next, sprinkle in the salt, black pepper and seafood boil seasoning. Add the self-rising flour to make a roux. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the clams and clam juice.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon and finely chop. Add to the pot. Add the potatoes along with the scallions. Stir to combine. Lastly, add the milk and half-and-half. Stir to warm. Serve in a bowl with parsley as a garnish.

MY BEST CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Drain juice from clams into a large skillet over the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.
• Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetables and clam juice. Heat through, but do not boil.
• Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

SANTA BARBARA CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a small pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Once the butter is melted, slowly mix in the flour until you have a thick consistency. Set aside and keep warm until ready to use. This is the roux.
• In a 3-gallon stock pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic, celery, and onions along with the bay leaves, salt, and white pepper. Cook the mixture until it is lightly browned, stirring it occasionally. Add the clam juice, stir, and let it cook until it is moderately warm. Then add the potatoes and bring the chowder to a boil, stirring it occasionally. Once the soup is boiling add the chopped clams, bacon, cream, and thyme. Stir the soup and let it cook until hot, do not bring it to a boil. Remove the soup from the heat and slowly stir in the roux until the desired consistency is reached.

BEST HOMEMADE CALIFORNIA CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Drain clams and reserve clam juice. Slice bacon and cook in pan on medium heat until just done. Remove bacon and half of bacon grease.
• Chop potatoes, celery, onion and garlic. Add chopped potatoes to (bacon) pan and cook on medium heat until potatoes are just tender...about 15 minutes.
• Pour removed half of bacon grease into large soup pot and saute onion, garlic and celery, until translucent, about 10 minutes.
• On low heat in small pot, melt the butter then add the flour slowly and with a high heat spatula and stir until smooth to create the roux.
• Stir in flour roux, the half and half, the clam juice, salt and pepper to the vegetables in the large soup pot. Stir well. Add clams and bacon. Reduce heat and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

MONTEREY CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place vegetables, bacon and margarine in a 5 quart sauce pot.
• Saute over medium heat until vegetables are tender. Be careful not to brown or scorch.
• When vegetables are tender, add flour to make a roux.
• Cook for two minutes, allowing flour to cook while stirring occasionally.
• Add clam juice and dairy products.
• Stir by using a wire whip.
• Add fresh garlic, black pepper, and chopped clams.
• Cook over low-medium heat stirring occasionally to prevent chowder from scorching.
• Cook for two hours or until chowder is brought to desired thickness. If a crockpot, or small steam kettle is available, it is recommended.
• Also, clam juice can be added to thin chowder down if it gets too thick.
• Cook for about 1 1/2 hours. The chowder needs to be stirred OFTEN, probably about every 5-10 minutes or so or it will stick to the bottom of the pot.