Clam Chowder- Or is it Soup?
January 3, 2016
Soup Season is here for awhile, while the East seems to be feeling a little warmer than normal this time of year , here on the West coast it’s nice and chilly, or I should say chilly and gloomy.
We aren’t getting the rain like we need still, but snowfall in the mountains actaully contributes to some of the years water as it melts during the spring. Better than nothing of course, but hopefully instead of just dark and gloomy days, the weather drops rain on us as well. Otherwise , bring on the sun! No, seriously bring on the rain we can’t repeat another disastrous fire season as the last!
Soups, let get to it. Everyone knows chicken noodle, rice, beef stew, an array of vegetable soups, minestrone, the list goes on. One soup though, I have never made until this week was Clam chowder, or is that really a soup? The differences between soup and chowder aren’t much it seems, did you know Chowder came from a french word, which was the named by fisherman in which consisted of the days catch cooked with other rooted vegetables? Chowder is rich and creamy, with chunks of vegetables. This describes a bundle of soups as it is, I make mine rich and creamy, yet soup/chowder. Which is it?
Who knows, in other words I have no idea what the difference is between the two , so today’s “soup” is Clam Chowder.
- 1 cup chopped cooked bacon
- 1 cup onions diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 (8 ounce) bottle clam juice
- 4 cups milk
- 1lb potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. thyme
- 1/4 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper
- 2 cups chopped clams ( canned)
- In a large pot add diced bacon and cook until crispy. Once it's done trasnfer to paper towel and rack to cool and drain. You want a little bacon grease left in the pan, if it's too much take some out and set aside.
- Keeping on medium heat, add onion, celery and garlic, and cook until celery is soft and onion is nearly see through. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and stir till well mixed. Add in everything up until the clams and cook until it reaches a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. When the potatoes are soft stir in the clams and cook for another 15 minutes.
- You can cook this in a slow cooker, cook the bacon in the pan, then onions celery and garlic. Simply throw it all into the slower cooker, cook on meduim for 4 hours Check the potatoes in the last hour, if soft add in the clams and finish out 30 minutes - or turn to low for the hour. My cooker runs hot so time may vary.
Enjoy!
28 Comments
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Lisa Rios
Soups are always great choice for winter season to keep yourself warm & healthy & this looks like a yummy soup that is easy to prepare. We love anything with Chicken, so I would love to try this recipe with some spicy chicken.
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Mama to 5 BLessings
i love clam chowder. This recipe sounds great, I have never had it with bacon – yum!
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Toughcookiemommy
Clam Chowder is one of my favorite dishes. My husband and I always order it together when we go out to eat.
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Marielle Altenor
I’ve never made nor tried clam chowder before! I’m tempted to try making it and see how it turns out!
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Ann Bacciaglia
Clam chowder is one of my favorites in the winter. This looks like a delicious recipe for me to try this weekend. I am sure my kids will love it.
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Rosey
its chilly down here in Florida right now. soup season rocks.
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Pam
This is one of my mom’s favorite things. And this just looks delicious. I will be visiting her soon and I am going to make this for her and enough that she can freeze some. She will love it.
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Carlee C
Whatever it is, you have me craving it now. The weather has finally cooled down a little here in Florida and Clam Chowder would be a perfect addition to a winter meal.
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Toughcookiemommy
I’m definitely craving it now too. Especially with this cold we are experiencing here in New York City right now.
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Miles L.
This is a great recipe. I am thinking of something to prepare for snacks and this is perfect.
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Kelly Hutchinson
I am not a fan of chowder, but my husband loves it. He loves it chunky, with lots of clams and potatoes.
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Ickle Pickle
Gosh I have never tried clam chowder but this looks absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe! Kaz 🙂
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Pam
I love clam chowder but I haven’t had it in forever. This looks so yummy, perfect for the cold weather!
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Liz Mays
My son has always been a huge fan of clam chowder. I always made it from a can though. I should try this!
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Lois Alter Mark
I love clam chowder! This looks delicious, and would be perfect for a cold day like today!
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Amanda McMahon
I wonder if potato starch would work instead of corn starch? It looks yummy either way!
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Melanie
Yes it would! Any starch, if you are familiar with cooking with it !You can use flour as well but I aimed for gluten free!
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Michele
Heavens, I haven’t had a bowl of clam chowder in I don’t know how long. Your version does sound delicious!!
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Heather Johnson
Clam chowder is a favorite in my family. I like mine thicker and chunkier with lots of potatoes.
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Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
You made me laugh because I always say that chowder is just a fancy name for soup. Either way, clam chowder is a New England classic and your recipe sounds spot on 🙂
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Debby Payne
Sounds awesome – always wanted to make it, but good idea to make potato then add clams to mine – I Like IT!!
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Scott
Merriam Webster defines it correctly:
a soup or stew of seafood (as clams or fish) usually made with milk or tomatoes, salt pork, onions, and other vegetables (as potatoes)
Key difference is chowder is seafood-based. Corn chowder is a thick corn soup.
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Susan Mahlburg
This looks so good! I can’t have clams (allergy … woe is me) but I love the idea of using canned clams to cut down on contamination for those of us who are allergy prone. I’d never thought of that before, but just might be able to get away with making this for my hubby. I’m sure he would enjoy the treat.
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Melanie
I’ve used fresh before, but it’s not always an option! if you just leave out the clams in half the batch it pretty much becomes potato soup ( add a bit more bacon to spruce that baby up! ) Then use clams in the other half for the hubs! Win – Win!
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Alice Chase
Wow! What great photos! This looks delish. I am going to have to check out some of your other recipes too.