Chef Jasper White makes a hearty new England fish chow-da with Julia Child.
This chowder comes from Jasper White, chef and proprietor of numerous restaurants, including Summer Shack in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Use the freshest clams possible, and if you need to supplement the chowder with commercially prepared broth, make sure that it is made with juice from fresh clams.
Yield:
Makes 10 Cups
Ingredients:
4 ounces salt pork, rind removed and cut into 1/3-inch pieces
2 medium onions (12 to 14 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 stalks celery (4 ounces), cut into 1/3-inch pieces
2 dried bay leaves
4 cups Clam Broth
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or up to 2 cups, if desired)
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
5 to 6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped (2 teaspoons)
2 pounds Yukon gold, Maine, PEI, or other all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
Diced clams (reserved from Clam Broth recipe)
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives, for garnish
Directions:
1. Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy-bottomed pot over low heat, and add salt pork. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until salt pork is a crisp golden brown. Remove from pot; set aside.
2. Add butter, onions, garlic, celery, thyme, and bay leaves. Saute, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until onions are softened but not browned, about 10 minutes.
3. Add potatoes and strained clam broth. The broth should just barely cover the potatoes; if it doesn't, add enough water to cover them. Increase the heat, and bring to a boil. Cover, and cook potatoes vigorously until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center, about 10 minutes. If the broth hasn't thickened lightly, smash a few potatoes against the side of the pot, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more to release the starch.
4. Remove pot from the heat, and stir in diced clams and cream. Season to taste. If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover after it has completely chilled. Otherwise, let it sit at room temperature for up to 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don't let it boil. Ladle into cups or bowls, making sure that clams, potatoes, and onions are evenly divided. Sprinkle with parsley, chives, and reserved salt-pork cracklings.
Cook's Notes:
Chef Jasper White freezes the salt pork before preparing the chowder, making it easier to cut.
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