Recipe: Legal Sea Foods Clam Chowder

LEGAL SEA FOODS CLAM CHOWDER

4 quarts littleneck clams (to yield about 1 2/3 cups cooked and chopped)
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 cup water
2 oz. salt pork, finely chopped
2 cups chopped onions
3 Tbsp. flour
4 1/2 cups clam broth (reserved from steaming the littleneck clams)
3 cups fish stock
1 1/2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 -inch cubes
2 cups light cream
Oyster crackers (optional, for serving)

Clean the clams and place them in a large pot along with the garlic and water. Steam the clams just until opened, about 6 to 10 minutes, depending upon their size. (Discard any that don't open.) Drain and shell the clams, reserving the broth. Mince the clam flesh, and set aside. Filter the clam broth either through coffee filters or cheesecloth and set aside.

In a large, heavy pot, slowly render the salt pork. Remove the cracklings and set them aside.

Slowly cook the onions in the fat for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently, or until cooked through but not browned.

Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.

Add the reserved clam broth and fish stock, and whisk to remove any flour lumps. Bring the liquid to a boil, add the potatoes, lower the heat, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Stir in the reserved clams, salt-pork cracklings and light cream. Heat the chowder until it reaches the desired temperature.

Serve in large soup bowls with oyster crackers on the side.

Makes 8 servings
Source: The Legal Sea Foods Cookbook by George Berkowitz and Jane Doerfer, 1988