Best Downeast Fish Chowder Recipes

DOWN EAST HADDOCK CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place fish, water and salt in large saucepan.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Fish is done when flesh is opaque. Remove immediately and when cool enough to handle, break into bite-size pieces.
• Reserve until rest of soup is ready.
• Skim any foam off fish stock.
• Add potatoes, onion, celery and pepper; cover and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer until tender.
• Return fish to pan.
• Pour in milk and heat through without boiling.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Swirl in butter.
• Transfer to heated tureen or soup bowls and serve immediately.

DOWNEAST FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Fry salt pork slowly in soup pot.
• Add sliced onions and cook five minutes.
• Add cubed potatoes, boiling water, and fish.
• Simmer slowly until potatoes are soft.
• Add evaporated milk, salt, pepper, and minced parsley.
• In a small skillet, melt butter.
• Add flour, blend thoroughly and cook.
• Add slowly to chowder, stirring until slightly thickened.
• Heat for another five minutes.
• Serve with pilot crackers.

NEW ENGLAND FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat a 2 to 3-quart heavy pot over low heat and add the diced salt pork. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until the pork is a crisp golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cracklings to a small ovenproof dish, leaving the fat in the pot, and reserve until later.
• Add the butter, onions, savory or thyme, and bay leaf to the pot and saute, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about 8 minutes, until the onions are softened but not browned.
• Add the potatoes and stock. If the stock doesn't cover the potatoes, add just enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center. If the stock hasn't thickened lightly, smash a few of the potato slices against the side of the pot and cook for 1 or 2 minutes longer to release their starch. Reduce the heat to low and season assertively with salt and pepper (you want to almost over season the chowder at this point to avoid having to stir it much once the fish is added). Add the fish fillets and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and allow the chowder to sit for 10 minutes (the fish will finish cooking during this time).
• Gently stir in the cream and taste for salt and pepper. If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let is sit for up to 1 hour at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.
• When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don't let it boil. Warm the cracklings in a low oven (200 degrees) for a few minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to mound the chunks of fish, the onions, and potatoes in the center of large soup plates or shallow bowls, and ladle the creamy broth around. Scatter the cracklings over the individual servings and finish each with a sprinkling of chopped parsley and minced chives.

MAINE FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Fry salt pork to render all fat in a heavy kettle and then remove.
• Add potatoes, onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Cover with hot water and cook over medium heat, covered, 15 minutes, until potatoes are just tender.
• Do not overcook.
• Meanwhile, cut fish into large chunks and put into another saucepan.
• Add boiling water to cover and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Cook slowly, covered, until fish is fork tender, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Strain and reserve liquid.
• Remove any bones from fish.
• Add fish and strained liquid to potato-onion mixture.
• Pour in milk and leave on stove long enough to heat through, about 5 minutes.
• Mix in butter and pepper.
• Serve at once.

DOWN EAST FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Fry salt pork slowly in soup kettle.
• Add sliced onions and cook for five minutes.
• Add potatoes boiling water and fish; simmer slowly until potatoes are tender.
• Add evaporated milk, salt, pepper and parsley.
• Melt butter or bacon fat in a small frying pan.
• Add flour and blend thoroughly; add gradually to chowder, stirring until slightly thickened.
• Cook an additional five minutes.
• Pour over pilot crackers and serve.