Country Fish Chowder

Country Fish Chowder is a thick and wholesome soup that will transport you to Cape Cod with its delightful flavors. This cherished recipe, customized over the years, has become a favorite of the author’s husband. Made with a combination of ingredients that cater to his preferences, this chowder is a comforting and satisfying dish that will warm your soul.

The recipe requires 15 minutes of preparation time and 25 minutes of cooking time. It yields 8-10 servings, equivalent to 2½ quarts of chowder. The chowder begins with cooking chopped onion and bacon until the onion is tender. Then, evaporated milk, whole kernel corn, chopped clams, potatoes, butter, salt, and pepper are added to the saucepan. The mixture is cooked over medium heat until the potatoes are tender.

Once the potatoes are cooked, cooked and broken fish fillets (such as haddock, cod, or flounder) are added to the chowder and heated through. The chowder is then ready to be ladled into bowls. For optional toppings, crumbled cooked bacon and minced chives can be added for extra flavor and visual appeal.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 4 bacon strips, chopped
• 3 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
• 1 can (15¼ ounces) whole kernel corn, undrained
• 1 can (6½ ounces) chopped clams, undrained
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound fish fillets (haddock, cod, or flounder), cooked and broken into pieces
• Crumbled cooked bacon (optional)
• Minced chives (optional)

PREPARATION:

1. In a large saucepan, cook the chopped onion and chopped bacon over medium heat until the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add evaporated milk, whole kernel corn (undrained), chopped clams (undrained), cubed potatoes, butter, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
3. Cover the saucepan and cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, approximately 20 minutes.
4. Stir in the cooked and broken fish fillets, ensuring they are heated through.
5. Ladle the country fish chowder into bowls.
6. If desired, top the chowder with crumbled cooked bacon and minced chives for added flavor and garnish.

YIELD: 8-10 servings (2½ quarts)

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 25 minutes

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• To cook the fish fillets, you can bake, grill, or pan-fry them according to your preference before breaking them into pieces.
• Adjust the seasoning of the chowder by adding more salt and pepper according to your taste.
• For a creamier consistency, use a potato masher to partially mash some of the cooked potatoes in the chowder.

TIPS:

• Serve the country fish chowder with crusty bread or oyster crackers for a complete meal.
• Customize the chowder by adding additional vegetables such as carrots, celery, or peas.
• Experiment with different types of fish to vary the flavor and texture of the chowder.

Country Fish Chowder is a comforting and satisfying soup that captures the flavors of Cape Cod. This cherished recipe, customized over time, has become a favorite of the author’s husband. Made with a combination of ingredients that cater to his preferences, this chowder is a delicious and hearty dish that will warm your soul.

The recipe requires a short preparation time of 15 minutes and a cooking time of 25 minutes. With its combination of evaporated milk, corn, clams, potatoes, bacon, and fish, this chowder offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures.

To prepare the chowder, cook the onion and bacon until the onion is tender. Then, add the evaporated milk, corn, clams, potatoes, butter, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Cook the mixture until the potatoes are tender. Finally, add the cooked and broken fish fillets to the chowder, and heat everything through.

Ladle the country fish chowder into bowls and, if desired, top it with crumbled cooked bacon and minced chives for extra flavor and garnish. Serve the chowder with crusty bread or oyster crackers for a complete and satisfying meal.

Customize the chowder by adding additional vegetables or experimenting with different types of fish. This will allow you to create variations and personalize the chowder according to your preferences.

In conclusion, Country Fish Chowder is a beloved recipe that brings the flavors of Cape Cod to your table. Its thick and wholesome nature, combined with the customized ingredients, makes it a delightful and satisfying dish. Enjoy this comforting chowder with loved ones and savor the warmth it brings.