New England Clam Chowder

There’s nothing I enjoy more on a cool autumn day than a hearty and warming bowl of New England Clam Chowder (or, as they say in Boston, “chowdah”). I don’t think it’s even possible to get a bad bowl of chowder in Boston. Maine, however, takes their chowder much more seriously. When New York introduced the tomato based Manhattan clam chowder in the 1930’s, Maine would have none of that. In 1939, a Maine representative actually introduced a bill to state legislature that would have made it “illegal” to add tomatoes to clam chowder. The bill didn’t pass, much to the dismay of clam chowder traditionalists in Maine. I have to admit, though, I probably would have protested, as well. I prefer my chowder without the tomatoes. This recipe for New England Clam Chowder is made entirely in the microwave. That’s the good news. The bad news is, if you want to double the batch, it won’t come out right. You have to repeat the procedure and make another batch. Believe it or not, I actually prepare 4 batches of it when I make it. Mike has it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. He loves it so much, after 2 days, there’s not a drop left in the house. So, I guess that’s testimony to how good this chowder is!

I actually found this recipe in the cookbook that came with my first carousel microwave oven (Sharp Carousel 1981). It sounded so easy, I knew I had to try it. Over the years, I adapted the recipe to refine the taste. Now it’s worthy of a true Boston chowder.  And, of course, I use my special “chowder spice blend.” If you read my post on Hearty Corn Chowder, then you are already familiar with this “magical” mix of spices that brings any chowder “over the top” in flavor.

For spice blend, combine all ingredients in resealable plastic bag. Crush with a rolling pin (to release the flavors of the dried herbs). Store in an air-tight container. You will only need about 1/2 teaspoon (per batch of chowder). Save the remainder for future chowders.

The original recipe called for chopping the raw bacon, putting in a large bowl, and microwaving, covered. I found two problems with this procedure. One, chopping the raw bacon is time consuming and tedious, especially if bacon is not at least partially frozen. Two, after you remove the bacon from the microwave, all the cut pieces mold together into a single clump in the bottom of the bowl, then you have to break it all apart. So, I cook the bacon slices on a microwave bacon cooker, reserving all the bacon drippings. (I know my bacon cooker is ancient. I just love it too much to part with it.) When cool, I crumble the bacon.

Peel and dice potatoes. Chop onions and mince garlic.

(This is where you will use the reserved bacon drippings.) In large bowl, combine reserved 1/3 cup of clam juice, diced potatoes, chopped onion, crumbled bacon and reserved bacon drippings. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at HIGH (100% power) until potatoes are tender, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring after half the cooking time. BE VERY CAREFUL when you lift the plastic wrap to stir. The steam can give you a nasty burn.

The original recipe also calls for part milk, part Half and Half. I use all Half and Half, because we prefer a thick chowder. (I did specify in recipe the portion that calls for milk, but if you also prefer a thicker chowder, substitute Half and Half for the milk.)

Blend in flour. Stir in 1-1/2 cups milk (or use Half and Half for a thicker chowder), salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon chowder spice blend. Microwave (uncovered) at HIGH (100% power) until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring at least 2 to 3 times during cooking time (stir more often if using Half and Half instead of milk).

Remove from microwave. Blend in 1 cup Half and Half. Stir in drained clams. Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power) until thickened and heated through, 4 to 5 minutes.

First batch is done. You can chow down, or transfer the chowder to a crockpot and keep warm on low setting until ready to serve.

 

This is 4 batches of chowder in crockpot.

Served in sourdough bread bowls, it’s the ultimate!

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER
Source: Adapted from Sharp Carousel Microwave Cookbook 1981
Posted by: www.meldingmagic.com

INGREDIENTS:

Chowder Spice Blend:

• 1 Tablespoon flour
• 4 teaspoons oregano
• 4 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons marjoram
• 2 teaspoons dill weed
• 4 teaspoons dried thyme
• 4 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 4 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 2 teaspoons tarragon

Chowder:

• 4 slices bacon
• 3 cans (6-1/2 ounces each) chopped or minced clams, drained (reserve 1/3 cup liquid)
• 2 medium or large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups milk (or Half and Half, if thicker chowder preferred)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup Half and Half
• 1/2 teaspoon chowder spice blend                                        

DIRECTIONS:

Spice Blend Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in resealable plastic bag and crush with rolling pin (to bring out flavors of
    spices).  Add to chowder (1/2 teaspoon per batch of clam chowder).

Chowder Directions:
1. Put bacon on microwave bacon dish, cover with paper towel, and cook in microwave at HIGH (100%
    power) until bacon is crisp, 4-6 minutes, RESERVING ALL BACON FAT.   When cool, crumble bacon.
2. In large bowl, combine reserved 1/3 cup clam juice, potatoes, onion, crumbled bacon, and reserved
    bacon fat.  COVER with plastic wrap.  Microwave at HIGH (100%) until potatoes are tender, 8 to 10
    minutes, stirring after half the cooking time.
3. Blend in flour.  Stir in 1-1/2 cups milk (or Half and Half), salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon chowder spice
    blend.  Microwave (uncovered) at HIGH (100% power) until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring 2-3
    times during cooking time.

4. Blend in 1 cup Half-and-Half, stir in drained clams.  Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power) until
    thickened and heated through, 4 to 5 minutes.

Servings: 6 (about 1/2 cup servings)

NOTE:  This makes one batch of chowder.  Doubling the recipe will not work. You can, however, make another batch then combine batches in crockpot to keep warm until ready to serve.