Rhode Island Quahog Chowda Recipes

RHODE ISLAND QUAHOG CHOWDA

Steps:

• Scrub quahaugs to clean well.
• Place into a large kettle with the 6 cups water, cover and cook over medium until shells open (approximately 5 minutes).
• Remove quahaugs from water and throw out quahaugs any that haven't opened up.
• Remove the meat from the opened shells and chop into fine pieces.
• Discard shells, but save all of the cooking liquid.
• In a large pot, render the salt pork until brown.
• Add the onions and saute a few minutes.
• Measure reserved cooking water and add additional water to make a full 8 cups liquid.
• Pour this liquid into the pot with the salt pork and onions.
• Add potatoes, salt and pepper.
• Simmer until the potatoes are very tender (aapproximately 5-10 minutes).
• Add the chopped quahaug meat and bring to a slow boil for 2-3 minutes.
• If you like, you may set a small pitcher of milk or cream on the table for guests to add a splash to individual portions, for those who prefer it that way.

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.

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

NANA'S QUAHOG CHOWDER

Steps:

• Put enough oil to cover bottom of large pan over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook for 10 minutes stirring often. Add potatoes and continue to stir so it will not stick to pan. Add 1 quart of water and tomato sauce. Add another 1 quart and 1/2 cup of water. Add seasoning, continue to cook another 1/2 hour or until potatoes are cooked. Add quahogs with the juice. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

RHODE ISLAND 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 those aside as well.
• Rinse out the pot, and return it to the stove. Add butter, and turn heat to medium-low. Add the 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 onions and celery 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 the wine has evaporated and the potatoes have just started to soften, approximately 5 minutes. Add 4 cups of clam broth, 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 that are about the size of the bacon dice.
• When the potatoes are tender, stir in the chopped clams and reserved bacon. Add black pepper to taste. Let the chowder come just to a simmer, and remove from heat. Fish out the thyme and bay leaf, and discard.
• The chowder should be allowed to sit for a while to cure. Reheat it before serving, then garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with oyster crackers.

RHODE ISLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Bring the shucked clams, clam juice, and chicken stock to a simmer in a large pot over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion and celery; cook and stir until the vegetables are tender. Stir the onion mixture and potatoes into the clams. Season with dill, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Simmer 15 minutes longer. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.