I LOVE clam chowder, but honestly, it does get a bit boring. Growing up in California it was almost always served in a bread bowl or at the very least with some crusty sourdough bread, which was always tasty, but once again it was never changing so could get boring!
When I found this recipe in my TASTE OF HOME magazine I was elated for a new take on it and it sounded absolutely delicious. I have made several changes to make it to our liking and reduced its size as they had it serving 10! Plus they used the pressure cooker and I just didn’t find it necessary as long as you time preparing the potatoes while you are preparing the rest of the chowder.
SONORAN CLAM CHOWDER
4 slices peppered bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon WONDRA flour
1 LARGE shallot, diced
1 SMALL stalk celery, SMALL diced
1 SMALL red pepper, diced
2 ounces chopped green chiles, drained
2 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
2 cans (6 1/2 ounce) chopped clams, drained, juice reserved
3/4 pound YUKON gold potatoes, diced
1/2 cup homemade chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons KINDERS taco seasoning
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped FRESH cilantro
Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
- In a large sauce pan bring salted water to a boil.
- Add potatoes, boiling until potatoes are JUST tender.
- Drain.
- In a stockpot melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium high heat.
- Add bacon, rendering until crisp. Remove to paper toweling to drain with a slotted spoon.
- Add remaining butter to pan.
- Add celery and shallots, sautéing 3-5 minutes until soft.
- Add flour, mixing well.
- Add red pepper and chiles, cooking 3-5 minutes until peppers are tender.
- Add garlic, cooking 1 minute longer until fragrant.
- Add clam juice and chicken stock.
- Stir in taco seasoning, cream, clams and half of the chopped cilantro, simmering 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through and chowder has reached the desired consistency.
- Serve topped with garnishes of choice such as bacon, chopped avocado, shredded cheese and cilantro…
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