Clam Chowder

It's winter and soup weather!  This is a wonderful recipe for a  large pot of Clam Chowder.  I've been making this for 25 years and it is always a big hit...... enjoy!

Clam Chowder

¼ pound bacon, diced

6 stalks celery, cut thin

2 medium onions, finely chopped

2 tablespoons butter

1 quart chicken stock

Black pepper, to taste

½ teaspoon thyme ( leaves, not ground)

1 ½ pounds potatoes

8 tablespoons butter

6 tablespoons flour

1 quart milk, hot

20 oz minced clams

Chopped parsley for garnish

OPTIONAL  4 very ripe tomatoes, diced. 

In a large stock pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.  Blanch the bacon in the boiling water for about 2 minutes. Drain the bacon.

In the bottom of that large stock pot, sauté celery and onions in 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat until soft, but not browned.

Into the pot, add the chicken stock.  Add juice only from the clams, reserving the meat.  Bring to a simmer and add pepper and thyme.

Wash the potatoes and dice without peeling.  Add to the pot and simmer until potatoes are cooked but still firm.

In a medium sauce plan, melt the 8 tablespoons butter then whisk in the flour.  Cook over low heat and stir for 1 minute but do not brown.  Add hot milk and stir until thickened.  Set aside (you have just made a béchamel sauce!)

When the potatoes are just tender, add drained clams and béchamel sauce.  Stir and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve with parsley garnish.

OPTIONAL:  add 4 very ripe diced tomatoes along with the drained clams and the béchamel sauce.  This is not a Manhattan chowder, it simply is a blend that turns out to be very rich!

Pumpkin Soup

It's time to get ready for Thanksgiving and all the fun cooking and culinary traditions that have special food memories for our family.  One frequently requested dish is Pumpkin Soup.  This is spectacular when served in a scooped out pumpkin, using it as your soup tureen.  Enjoy!!

Pumpkin Soup

16 ounces canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

3 celery stalks, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca

10 cups chicken stock

1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon Sugar, to taste

2 cups half-and-half

Curry powder (optional)

Toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish (optional)

Sauté the celery and onion in the butter until tender, but not brown.

Simmer the tapioca in 2 cups of the chicken stock until tender, about 8 minutes.  Stir this regularly while cooking.  Set aside.

Method A:  If using an immersion blender:  Place the pumpkin into a 6 quart soup pot.  Add the celery and onion along with a bit of the chicken stock and puree until smooth

Method B:  If using a blender:  Blend the celery and onion with 1 cup of the stock until smooth.  Add this to the pumpkin into a 6 quart soup pot.   

Into the kettle with the pumpkin, celery and onion, add all the remaining chicken stock and bring to a simmer.  Be careful that you do not burn this soup.

Add the tapioca, nutmeg, salt, pepper and sugar, all to taste. 

If using curry powder, this is the time to add to the pot. 

When hot and ready to serve, add the half-and-half and correct the seasoning. 

This is spectacular when served in a scooped out pumpkin, using it as your soup tureen. 

NOTE:  if you want to use fresh pumpkin, use 2 ½ pounds fresh pumpkin, cleaned and peeled.  Cut into large pieces and steam until tender, about 45 minutes.  Or, you can bake the pieces until tender.

Red Bell Pepper Bisque

September has an abundance of beautiful, fresh red bell peppers in the grocery stores and farmers markets.  They are at their height of sweetnes so load up on them!  (Also full of vitamin C)

Here is a great easy way bisque to make and pop into your freezer for a yummy soup on a cold winter's night!  Make it a little more substantial by adding some cooked shrimp or crab!

Red Bell Pepper Bisque

Serves 4 as a main course

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped

1 celery stalk, peeled and copped

1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

4 red bell peppers (about 1 ¾ pounds total), seeded, de-ribbed, chopped into 1 inch pieces

4 cups chicken stock

¼ cup heavy cream

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2/3 cup crème fraiche, or sour cream, for garnish

Heat heavy 4 quart pot over medium high heat.  Add the olive oil and carrot, onion and celery.  Sauté until carrot turns bright orange and onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.  Stir in 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and the bell peppers.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers start to soften, about 5 minutes.  Add enough stock to cover vegetables and bring to a rolling boil.  Reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer until all vegetables are soft, about 30 minutes

Removed from heat and blend using an immersion blender or a stand blender.  (Use caution as the mixture is very hot.  Start with a low speed and gradually increase.)  If desired, strain pureed soup through a medium-mesh strainer. 

Stir in the cream and season to taste with salt, pepper and additional cayenne is desired. 

If necessary, gently reheat the soups over low heat, stirring constantly.  Garnish with a drizzle of crème fraiche or sour cream.

COOKS NOTES:  If you are going to freeze, do not add the cream.  Just add when you thaw and serve. 

Also, don't strain and the soup has a little more texture.