Southwest Seafood Chowder

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As a native New Englander, chef Steve Sicinski loves clam chowder but prefers making a healthier version with Southwestern flavors. More Seafood Recipes

By Steve Sicinski
March 2011

Gallery

Credit: © David Malosh

Recipe Summary

total:
1 hr 30 mins
Yield:
8
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Ingredients

Directions

  • In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the yellow onion, garlic, ancho chiles and fennel seeds and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cook over moderate heat until the vegetables and anchos are very tender and the broth is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Stir in the milk.

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  • Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender. Strain the soup into a heatproof bowl and rinse out the pot.

  • Add 1 cup of water to the pot along with the clams. Cover and cook over high heat until the clams open, about 8 minutes. Transfer the clams to a bowl and remove them from their shells; rinse to remove any grit. Chop the clams. Pour the clam cooking broth into a bowl and let the grit settle, then add the broth to the soup, stopping before you reach the grit at the bottom. Season the soup lightly with salt and pepper.

  • Rinse out the pot and wipe dry. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pot and heat until shimmering. Add the potatoes and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Stir in the red onion, celery, chopped fennel and corn. Add the paprika and cook over moderate heat, stirring until the celery is crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Add the soup and bring to a boil.

  • Add the halibut, shrimp and chopped clams to the soup and simmer until the halibut is white and the shrimp are pink, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the soup in shallow bowls with oyster crackers or crusty bread.

Make Ahead

The recipe can be prepared through Step 4 and refrigerated overnight.

Suggested Pairing

Round, full-bodied Viognier.

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