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Classic Manhattan Clam Chowder

by Lisa Schroeder, Danielle Centoni

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This chowder is a great change of pace from the creamy New England version. With its base of stock and tomatoes, rather than roux and cream, it’s lighter and a bit healthier. It’s still a chowder, though, because it has bacon and potatoes. We use canned clams because we make 5 gallons at a time, but I highly recommend fresh for this recipe. Serves seven. Yields about 3-1/2 quarts.

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2 strips bacon, finely diced (chill for 10 minutes in the freezer to make it easier to cut; about 1/4 cup)
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely diced (1-1/2 cups)
1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced (about 3/4 cup)
2 ribs celery, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced into half-moons and washed (about 1/2 cup)
1 medium green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 (10.75-oz.) can tomato purée
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 3 cups)
3-1/2 cups Fish Stock or 2 (14-oz.) cans clam juice
2 (10-oz.) cans baby clams in juice
1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
5 dashes Tabasco sauce, or to taste
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce, or to taste

Place a medium (6- to 8-quart), heavy soup pot over medium-high heat. When hot, add the bacon. When it starts to brown in spots, lower the heat to medium and continue to cook until most of the fat has been rendered and the bacon is almost crisp, about 4 minutes.

Add the vegetable oil, onions, carrots, celery, leeks, and green bell peppers. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes.

Add the diced and puréed tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, and potatoes.

Add the stock or clam juice to the pot. Stir to mix well. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Add the clams with their juice and season with the salt and pepper. Add the Tabasco and Worcestershire. Bring back to a simmer for several minutes.

Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty bread or crackers.

photo: Ellen Silverman

From Book Mother's Best , pp. 73-75

November 3, 2009