Clam Chowder

[Dr Skimeister]

I had never heard that chowder with stock was called Rhode Island style. Learn something every day....

That is my favorite style, based on a chowder I have every summer when I'm in Ocracoke, NC. Although a New England style with just the right touch brandy in it is hard to beat.

 

[ctenidae]

clam juice .. such a disgusting term. I am glad they don't call chicken broth - chicken juice..

Not as bad as Clamato.
Better, I guess, than Chickamato

 

[ctenidae]

I think you're overanalyzing it. I guess clam juice could be compared to chicken stock, but in the case of chowder as well as chicken soup, they become "broth" once you add the other junk to them.

Clam juice is the stuff in the can of clams. It's vital to a good clam chowder.
As is a good chicken stock (not broth).
juice != broth != stock

 

[Paul]

Clams, like snot with sand in it. uke:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Manhattan:

New England:

Or Rhode Island:

I really do love all three, and it's not an easy decision, but I have to go with New England.

I'm going with New England..I have never spent any time in Rhode Island..I drove through it on the way back from Maine once..so I can't comment on that ..but Manhatten Clam chowder isn't as good..

 

[ALLSKIING]

Clam "juice" is the water used for steaming the clams. Same as broth. It's available in bottles as clam juice.

The real name for Rhode Island chowder is called Bonac clam Chowder. As far as steaming the clams I think you are thinking about steamers. When making any clam chowder you open the clams and use the raw juice and clam inside to start the base.

 

[deadheadskier]

The real name for Rhode Island chowder is called Bonac clam Chowder. As far as steaming the clams I think you are thinking about steamers. When making any clam chowder you open the clams and use the raw juice and clam inside to start the base.

I kind of go with this method. I'm a 'feel/taste' chef and don't really go by recipes.

When I make chowder:

Coat bottom of the pot with Olive Oil, bring to a smoke point
add garlic, lots of it and let cook for a moment
reduce heat to medium and add chopped onion and celery, cook for five minutes or so
add roughly five parts heavy cream, 1 part cream sherry, fresh thoroughly washed clams and bring to a boil
I let the clams open up, then remove them with tongs and take out the clams and set them to the side
return shells to the broth and continue to cook on high
keep cooking for 15 minutes or so until alcohol from sherry is completely cooked off and all flavor extracted from the shells
reduce heat to simmer, chop and add clams from shells and additional pre-chopped clams, which is typically double the amount of fresh clams (saves some money and really no difference in quality of the chowder as I've tried all fresh before)
add chopped red potatoes and cooked, diced bacon
add rosemary, parsely, salt and pepper to taste - not too much though
simmer for three hours continuing to add seasonings periodically to adjust flavor so its just right.


wa-la - kick ass NE style clam chowder. Everyone I've ever served it to LOVES it. This is just kind of the way I cook. I never read a recipe for chowder before, just went on instinct several years back and came up with this and tweaked it slightly over time and its dayum good.

 

[Grassi21]

I kind of go with this method. I'm a 'feel/taste' chef and don't really go by recipes.

When I make chowder:

Coat bottom of the pot with Olive Oil, bring to a smoke point
add garlic, lots of it and let cook for a moment
reduce heat to medium and add chopped onion and celery, cook for five minutes or so
add roughly five parts heavy cream, 1 part cream sherry, fresh thoroughly washed clams and bring to a boil
I let the clams open up, then remove them with tongs and take out the clams and set them to the side
return shells to the broth and continue to cook on high
keep cooking for 15 minutes or so until alcohol from sherry is completely cooked off and all flavor extracted from the shells
reduce heat to simmer, chop and add clams from shells and additional pre-chopped clams, which is typically double the amount of fresh clams (saves some money and really no difference in quality of the chowder as I've tried all fresh before)
add chopped red potatoes and cooked, diced bacon
add rosemary, parsely, salt and pepper to taste - not too much though
simmer for three hours continuing to add seasonings periodically to adjust flavor so its just right.


wa-la - kick ass NE style clam chowder. Everyone I've ever served it to LOVES it. This is just kind of the way I cook. I never read a recipe for chowder before, just went on instinct several years back and came up with this and tweaked it slightly over time and its dayum good.

Good work out of you. Sounds great. I will be at the Cape next weekend. Might have to pick up some clams and some beers. :beer:

 

[snoseek]

o.k. my quick chowda formula

sweat onion and celery (more onion than celery) with bacon or salt pork with some unsalted butter (some washed chopped leeks add good flavor too).
add a little flour and make a loose roux, and add clam juice. add potato and cook over low heat while stirring every so often to prevent scorching. when potato becomes soft add clams (this needs to be done near the end) and cream to make the right consistency. add a good amount of fresh thyme, a little black pepper, and enough heat (i use tabasco) to wake all the flavors up but not so much that you ever know it's there. this formula has been very good to me.

 

[snowmonster]

There can only be one chowdah -- and you never eat it with those crackers.

Fish chowder is good too. Have it at the No Name in Boston.

 

[drjeff]

I'm a definate RI chowder fan. All the flavor of the NE chowder, but with the "lighter" broth as opposed to the "heavier" cream, you've got extra room for clam cakes!

 

[Hawkshot99]

I've been called worse...

I'll do ya one better, I don't eat any seafood of any kind. Fish, clams, lobster, shrimp, etc.. uke:

Wow this is kinda freaky.....

I liked the crackers as the best parts of those pics, the smell of coffee just grosses me out, and I hate seafood.........How do you feel about veggies? We might be brothers or something;-):-D

 

[severine]

I'll do ya one better, I don't eat any seafood of any kind. Fish, clams, lobster, shrimp, etc.. uke:

You should probably go see a psychiatrist about that.

I actually have to agree with Brian on this one (even though I love the smell of coffee!). Then again, I will on occasion eat fried clam strips (not whole bellies! uke with tartar sauce. Maybe some tuna once in a while, too. We're just not fish people.

Wow this is kinda freaky.....

I liked the crackers as the best parts of those pics, the smell of coffee just grosses me out, and I hate seafood.........How do you feel about veggies? We might be brothers or something;-):-D

I can tell you this much... Brian doesn't like peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic,... I think there's more. I'm a picky eater, but I'm not that picky! I've been known to practically puree peppers and onions in chili so he won't pick them out. But he's getting better.

 

[Hawkshot99]

I can tell you this much... Brian doesn't like peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic,... I think there's more. I'm a picky eater, but I'm not that picky! I've been known to practically puree peppers and onions in chili so he won't pick them out. But he's getting better.

I don't eat chili cause of all the yucky stuff in it picking it out is too much work, plus there is residue taste left........

 

[Zand]

I don't like chowder. Chowdah is good though.

For the record, New England.

 

[PA Ridge Racer]

Without question New England and you gotta have the big chewy clams too.

 

[bvibert]

Wow this is kinda freaky.....

I liked the crackers as the best parts of those pics, the smell of coffee just grosses me out, and I hate seafood.........How do you feel about veggies? We might be brothers or something;-):-D

I actually do like a lot of veggies, just not peppers, onions, mushrooms, and a few others like Severine mentioned. I don't mind garlic in small quantities though. I love broccoli, corn, green beans, etc.. and I eat raw carrots almost every day. Actually, come to think of it there are a lot of veggies I won't eat either, I guess I'm just a real picky eater..

You guys must think I'm really boring... :roll:

 

[Greg]

I guess I'm just a real picky eater.

It's funny. I'll eat just about anything...

 

[Grassi21]

It's funny. I'll eat just about anything...

I was horrible until I hit college. Two things that finally tied in college and now love, fish and ketchup. These days I will try anything.

 

[andyzee]

I'm not even reading the other replies, just want to know if this is a trick question.