Creamy Seafood Chowder with Bacon

By Addie

The cream in the soup tempers most of the jalapeño’s heat, but you can still taste its bright, fresh flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 1 large jalapeño, seeded and very finely chopped (about 2 Tbs.)
• 2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 6-1/2-oz. cans chopped clams, clams and juice separated (about 1 cup juice)
• 2 8-oz. bottles clam juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8-10 oz. unpeeled red potatoes (about 2 medium), scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 lb. skinless haddock or cod fillets
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

In a heavy 4-qt. saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 min. Transfer the bacon to a small dish lined with paper towels, leaving the fat behind in the pan.

Add the shallots and 1 Tbs. of the jalapeño to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened, about 2 min. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 min. Gradually stir in all the clam juice (from the cans and the bottles). Add the cream, potatoes, and thyme, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat as necessary and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 10 min. Add the whole fish fillets and cook for 3 min. Stir in the clams and continue stirring until the fish has broken into chunks. Cook until the fish is cooked through and the clams are heated, about another 2 minutes.

Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper. Portion into warm soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with the reserved bacon and the remaining jalapeño.
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REVIEWS:

This recipe makes a great base for creating your own seafood chowder. I enjoy it better without the Jalapeno (although it adds a nice slow heat if you enjoy that). Its great if you add in yellow onions,brocolli, or red bell pepper. I find it works best with Cod because it breaks apart easily when cooked.

I made this for Christmas Eve dinner and we all enjoyed it. I will definitely make this again.