Fish Chowder

By

CL 8/04

  • 10

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed and divided
  • 8 bacon slices, chopped
  • 3 cups chopped onion
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped carrot
  • 1 cup chopped shallots
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 bottles clam juice (8-ounce)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 pounds yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
  • 2 pounds halibut, cut into bit-sized pieces

Preparation

Step 1

1. Place 1 cup corn in a food processor or blender, and process until smooth. Set aside.

2. Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon, re-serving 1 tablespoon drippings in pan; set bacon aside.

3. Add onion and next 4 ingredients (through garlic) to drippings in pan; sauté 5 minutes or until tender.

4. Stir in parsley, thyme, and paprika. Remove vegetable mixture from pan; set aside. Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the flour. Cook over medium heat 2 minutes or until browned. Gradually add the milk, stirring with a whisk. Add vegetable mixture, salt, and next 4 ingredients (through potatoes); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender.

5. Stir in fish, pureed corn, and remaining 1 1/2 cups corn kernels; cover and cook 15 minutes or until fish flakes - easily when tested with a fork. Discard bay leaves. Top with bacon.

Notes: Very good - grew on us as we were eating! Halved the recipe successfully, increasing the garlic and veggies a bit - needed to add more milk while potatoes were cooking. Used cod. Served with cheddar scones, which was a great combination.