Last Updated on January 12, 2020 by Chef Mireille
New England Clam Chowder from the New England states has become a part of classic Americana cuisine. The perfect winter time comfort food!
In America, like almost any country in the world, has regional cuisines. Although many foods are generic throughout the country, there are still many other foods that are particular to specific regions in the country. In New Orleans, breakfast may be beignets while here in NYC you will be hard pressed to try to find somewhere selling beignets. Instead bagels with lox and cream cheese are a dime a dozen for breakfast. Go to low country Southern states and breakfast might be shrimp and grits or biscuits and gravy.
Before we get to today’s regional soup, what is a chowder. Basically, a chowder is a roux based soup that includes potatoes. The potatoes are sometimes left in diced form or sometimes pureed to be used as the thickening agent for the soup. Even when not pureed, the starch released from the potatoes as they boil help to thicken the soup. The two most popular chowder’s in the US are Clam Chowder and Corn Chowder.
Clam Chowder is a very popular winter soup. However, there are two types of clam chowder. New England Clam Chowder and Manhattan Clam Chowder. The New England version comes from those coastal New England states, where seafood is abundant. The difference in the Manhattan version is the use of tomato, instead of the dairy based soup in the New England version.
Old Bay seasoning is the most popular spice mix used with seafood here in the United States and especially in New England. However, I chose to use my own mix of seasoning in this version of clam chowder. You will see my soup has a color that is kind of orange-pink instead of the traditional white colored soup. If you would prefer the classic white soup, omit the paprika in my recipe below. I like the flavor and color, but that is subjective.
Some prefer their clam chowder thicker. If you are one of those that like a really thick clam chowder, you can add a slurry at the end. A slurry is a mixture of flour and water that you add to the soup at the end and then let it simmer, until thickened.
Before we get to today’s soup, the temperatures are getting colder so it’s definitely soup season. Here are some other soup recipes you might like to try!
Soup Recipes
- Beche de Pescado – Ecuadorian Fish Soup
- Chicken Wheatberry Soup
- Classic Lentil Soup
- Chickpea Okra Ground Provision Soup
- Gochujang Dak Juk – Korean Chicken Rice Soup
- Khao Soi – Thai Curry Chicken Noodle Soup
- Laotian Chicken Noodle Soup
- Pumpkin Shrimp Laksa
- Triple Corn Rasam
IN THE MAKING
This is the perfect wintertime comfort food.
New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 chopped bell pepper
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 finely chopped cloves garlic
- 5 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 4 cups broth any combinationa of clam juice, lobster juice and chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 2 diced large potatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 6.5 oz. cans chopped clams
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat oil and butter until butter is melted.
- Add bell pepper, celery, onion and garlic. Saute until softened.
- Add flour. Saute for 2 minutes, until flour is no longer raw.
- Add broth and milk. Bring to a boil.
- Add potatoes, bay leaf and spices. Simmer until potatoes are cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Add clams with their juice. Simmer another 5 minutes.
Do you know anyone else who likes learning about international food, culture, history and travel? Bring them over here to join the party! Don’t forget to use those share buttons!
Start Here to find out how the Schizo Chef can help you with your cooking, travel and other needs!
If you like this recipe, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE!
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#78
That’s a wonderful read Mir. I had read on the Chowder for this theme quite a bit and nobody explained as well as you have..I don’t remember as potato Chowder being a popular one too…I could try that..:)..this recipe sounds very good to adapt!
I am glad you found it informative!
This is such a classic recipe and I have seen people rave about it. Good to read about the differences in the clam chowder. Having lived in East coast, this is something I recognize but never knew the differences.
It’s one of the most iconic foods of the region
Interesting read about chowder Mir!
Soup looks creamy, must be a perfect treat for the cold weather !
Yes it is perfect winter soup
As always loved your intro about the chowders and thanks a lot for the share. This is indeed a perfect winter recipe.
Yes it’s definitely a seasonal one
Interesting and in depth information of chowder and its variations. I have made corn chowder before but was not aware of the nuances.
Both of them are such comfort foods soups with their great creamy consistency
sounds great. I am a vegetarian I can add lentil or vegetable broth…. Soups are great in winter season… Looks drooling n water mouthering recipe.
Wow, this new england clam chowder is totally my kind of food, prefect for nasty winter day’s dinner.
yes it is the perfect winter comfort food
I agree with Valli there. the term Chowder was alien to me till I read it in detail now. I even had a bit of Corn Chowder back in NYC, but I guess its an acquired taste. this is a great dish for Winters, am sure !
Corn Chowder is not usually acquired unless you had a really bad version. I encourage you to try it again!
I had bookmarked corn chowder but never knew the details about the soup. Thanks for sharing such informative post and the soup looks nice and filling.
it is – the perfect soup for cold winter days
Mir , as always you have a wonderful read , so well explained .
The chowder sounds like a real hearty soup , perfect for cold nights .
thanks – I am glad you found it informative
I enjoy seafood chowder a lot never thought I can make it at home. Will use your info as my base point and come up with something. Love it Mir!
Yes it is quite easy and now you enjoy it at home with your own personal twists.
Liked the write up on regional cuisine. Nicely written and very information. This is one of my favorite soups and I like it super thick. I like the unique color, would never have guessed paprika.
yes I like the twist of the paprika. I think you would also!