In light of recent events, I am feeling homesick for and saddened for Boston, my beloved American hometown for 19 years. There has been some absolutely heartwarming commentary in the media on the strength of Boston and its wonderful people in the midst of this tragedy, from Bostonians and non-Bostonians alike, writers and nonwriters alike, and in many cases, I don’t think I could’ve said it better myself. But still, there is that need to do something in the wake of this horrific event—to both find comfort, and offer it. With this in mind, I humbly offer you a delicious recipe for New England Clam Chowder, Boston’s best comfort food. (I may even indulge in a bowl myself.)
For those of you who don’t know, New England clam chowder is the creamy-based variety. There is also Manhattan clam chowder, which is tomato-based, and Rhode Island clam chowder, which is broth-based. But when you’re seeking true comfort food, doesn’t there just need to be cream?
Aside from my friends and family, New England clam chowder is what my Aussie husband misses most about Boston. He certainly takes comfort in many a mug or bowl whenever we visit. Don’t get me wrong. He loves the city. But he LOVES the chowder. I hope you will, too. (Note: I have used Aussie measurements for this recipe, but you can easily convert them at a website I have found indispensable since my move to Australia: www.onlineconversion.com.)
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER (Makes approximately 1.5 litres)
¼ cup diced bacon
30g butter
½ cup diced celery
½ cup diced onion
2 tbsp plain flour
½ tsp dried thyme
2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups tinned clam juice*
2 cups fresh or frozen clams**
½ cup pouring cream
½ cup milk
* In Sydney, I know you can find tinned clams in the Blackwattle Deli at the Sydney Fish Markets; Australians outside Sydney should chime in with any tips for finding clam juice or tinned clams. Drain the tinned clams, retaining the juice for the recipe. Do not use the tinned clams for this recipe; the fresh or frozen clam meat works better. Instead, place the tinned clams in an airtight container, cover them with water, and refrigerate for use tomorrow. I recommend using them in Emeril Lagasse’s Linguine with Clam Sauce recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/linguine-with-clam-sauce-recipe/index.html
(I made this pasta dish while my brother-in-law was visiting, and he ate it for brekkie(!) several mornings in a row.)
**Again, there are one or two places at the Sydney Fish Markets that carries the frozen clams (at a very reasonable price), or you can opt for vongole clams or pipis. I have also used Cloudy Bay clams, which you can find in select shops or order online.
In a large pot over medium-low heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 6 minutes. Add butter and melt. Add celery and onion, cooking until veggies are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add flour, stirring constantly for 2 to 3 minutes. (Mixture should form a paste.) Add thyme, potatoes, and clam juice; stirring constantly, bring to the boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
Add clams and bring quickly to the boil, stirring constantly. Add cream and milk; return to the boil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread or Arnott’s Salada crackers for dipping or crumbling into chowder.
If this recipe seems like too much effort (though I think it’s worth it), try one of these Aussie spots that have seafood or fish chowders on offer:
- Nick’s Seafood Restaurant in Sydney’s Cockle Bay Wharf
- Esca Grill in Melbourne
Then again, if chowder’s not your thing but you’re still seeking comfort food, there’s always that favourite Aussie standby, pumpkin soup.
As an expat Bostonian myself, I gave up trying to find bottled clam juice in the two and a half years I have been living in the Sydney area. Instead of buying tinned clams as you suggest, I buy the inexpensive frozen imported clams from my local Oriental market, defrost them, reserve that juice, then soak them again at least once, creating my own clam juice, and freeze any excess that I don’t use for my New England clam chowder, or linguine with clam sauce if I have too many clams for the amount of chowder I make at the time. I tend to discard the clams I use to obtain extra liquid, opting to use a better quality frozen clam meat, or fresh vongole, from the Sydney Fish Market. Given that the Patriots are in the playoffs again, it isn’t hard to figure out what is on my menu this month!
My brother has just found clams at Coles. in Victoria. We have been dying to make our own clam chowder and came across them the other day. They are vacuum packed and already cooked but at least they are fresh with juice. I am now off to see if I can source some clam juice.
Wish me luck.
Janette
Safeway also has those vacuum packed clams and yes they are already cooked so they simply need to be thrown in at the last minute to warm through. The USA shop also has Bar Harbor Clam Juice although they seem to be out of stock lately. Amazon also sells it by the case but won’t ship to Australia. I’m not sure it’s permitted but you could have friends in the US ship it to you if you really need it.
Oh I just discovered that Fishpond.com.au also has Snow’s Clam Chowder available, I assume for shipping throughout Australia.
Hello blogger !! I read your blog everyday and i must say you have high quality articles here.
Your website deserves to go viral. You need initial boost only.
How to go viral fast? Search for: jemensso’s tricks
ola yo pienso k en estos momentos eres el mejor del mundo pero tampoco soy del banlrcoea yo tambien sere jugador de futbol y espero k algun dia te conosca he tampoco eres mi idolo …. mi idolo es zizOu … bueno exitoz para el 2011 REAL MADRID corzon
Accu – Check Nano or Aviva Blood Glucose Monitor at $14.99, Get $14.99 Mail-in-Rebate Free after Rebate New to shopping at Walgreens? Be sure to head over and check out Walgreens 101 where I explain in detail how to maximize the mileage of your money at Walgreens. See the full list of this week over at Common Sense with Money.
Har aldri vært pÃ¥ Kreta, men andre steder i Hellas som Naxos, Samos, en snartur innom Rhodos og Patmos og Paros pÃ¥ dagstur. Elsker gresk mat, kultur, lynne og oliven.SÃ¥ hvis jeg skulle anbefale noe greskt noe sÃ¥ sier jeg en rett som heter pastzio (husker ikke helt skrivemÃ¥ten), det var veldig godt. pastarett med bl.a kjøttdeig og laubær i…God ferietur 🙂
92 10-10-11 spune: 1. ce monitor e? daca e lcd, el trebuie sa fie pe rezolutia nativa.2. cand se vede in ceata? se vede tot ecranul in ceata? sau doar parti? incearca sa intri intr-un joc si vezi daca si acolo e in ceata. te rog raspunde la fiecare intrebare ca sa imi pot face o idee mai clara. +68
I see your site needs some fresh content. Writing
manually is time consuming, but there is solution for this hard task.
Just search for – Miftolo’s tools rewriter