Captains Chowder Recipes

CONTEST-WINNING NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, water, clam juice, bouillon, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes., In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes., Stir in clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil). Crumble the cooked bacon; sprinkle over each serving.

GRANDMA'S SEAFOOD CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until tender, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pot., In same pot, heat remaining butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in cream and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 2-3 minutes., Stir in haddock, shrimp, peas and sautéed mushrooms; cook until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork and shrimp turn pink, 5-7 minutes. Add cheese, crab and pimientos; stir gently until cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle servings with paprika.

CAPTAIN'S CHOWDER

Steps:

• Remove any skin from fish and cut in small cubes.
• In a nonstick pan, saute green pepper, onion, potato, and mushrooms in melted butter for 8-10 minutes.
• Add fish and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• In a large saucepan, mix the soup and milk until smooth.
• Add the corn and wine and stir.
• Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Do not boil.
• Add the fish mixtures, by spoolfuls, stirring constantly.
• Add salt, pepper and pimento.
• Simmer, just below boiling for 5 minutes.
• Serve.

MOM'S NOVA SCOTIA SEAFOOD CHOWDER

Steps:

• Fill a large pot halfway with lightly salted water; bring to a boil. Add onions and carrots; cook until slightly tender, 10 minutes. Add potatoes; cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in salmon, cod, scallops, shrimp, lobster, and crab; cook over medium heat until salmon and cod are firm but chunks are still slightly translucent in the center, about 10 minutes. Drain half the water from the pot and add clams, heavy cream, and half-and-half. Place butter chunks atop the soup; season with salt and black pepper. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until salmon and cod are fully cooked and flake easily with a fork, about 30 minutes.

THE CAPTAIN'S CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Open clams. Retain all of the clam juice. Separate clams, then chop. You can use a blender, but be sure not to cut the clams up too fine.
• Fry the bacon slowly, and just before it is done, add the onions, saute for 1 minute, add the pepper and the clam juice, bring to a boil. Add potatoes.
• When the potatoes are half done, add the chopped clams. After the chowder starts to simmer again, allow it to finish cooking. you can put a spoonful of rice in individual bowls before serving.

CHEF JACK'S CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned; set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, combine the corn and chicken stock in another saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the boiling stock with the corn (a little at a time) into the saucepan with the roux, whisking briskly so it doesn't lump. Return the skillet to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick.
• In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Just before serving, cut the remaining stick of butter into large chunks. Add it to enrich the soup, stirring until the butter melts. (This added butter could be optional).