Starter · United States cuisine

Clam chowder

Name: Clam chowder
Cuisine: United States
Ingredients: 1½ kg Clams; 50g Butter; 150g Bacon; 1 finely chopped Onion; sprigs of fresh Thyme; 1 Bay Leaf; 1 tbls Plain Flour; 150ml Milk; 150ml Double Cream; 2 medium Potatoes; Chopped Parsley

11 ingredients Cuisine: United States Video included

Clam chowder emerged from New England's fishing communities as an economical way to transform the day's catch into something sustaining. The technique of making a roux with butter and flour creates a silky base that lets the briny clam liquor shine through, while bacon adds the savory depth that transforms humble ingredients into something remarkable. This is working-class cooking at its best.

Instructions

Rinse the clams in several changes of cold water and drain well.

Tip the clams into a large pan with 500ml of water.

Cover, bring to the boil and simmer for 2 mins until the clams have just opened.

Tip the contents of the pan into a colander over a bowl to catch the clam stock.

When cool enough to handle, remove the clams from their shells – reserving a handful of empty shells for presentation if you want.

Strain the clam stock into a jug, leaving any grit in the bottom of the bowl.

You should have around 800ml stock.

Heat the butter in the same pan and sizzle the bacon for 3-4 mins until it starts to brown.

Stir in the onion, thyme and bay and cook everything gently for 10 mins until the onion is soft and golden.

Scatter over the flour and stir in to make a sandy paste, cook for 2 mins more, then gradually stir in the clam stock then the milk and the cream.

Throw in the potatoes, bring everything to a simmer and leave to bubble away gently for 10 mins or until the potatoes are cooked.

Use a fork to crush a few of the potato chunks against the side of the pan to help thicken – you still want lots of defined chunks though.

Stir through the clam meat and the few clam shells, if you've gone down that route, and simmer for a minute to reheat.

Season with plenty of black pepper and a little salt, if needed, then stir through the parsley just before ladling into bowls or hollowed-out crusty rolls..