BAY SCALLOP CHOWDER WITH BACON AND CABBAGE

Bay Scallop Chowder with Bacon and Cabbage image

Provided by Food Network

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

4-ounce slab (unsliced) smoked bacon, rind removed, small dice (1/3-inch)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion (10 to 12 ounces), large dice (3/4-inch)
2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves chopped (1 teaspoon)
1 dried bay leaf
1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold, Maine, PEI or other all-purpose potato, peeled, large dice (3/4-inch)
5 cups fish stock, chicken stock, or either in combination with water to make 5 cups total liquid
8 ounces Savoy cabbage, large dice (3/4-inch)
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds medium bay scallops-left whole, or large sea scallops, cut down to large (3/4-inch) pieces, strap removed
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (up to 2 cups)
2 or 3 scallions, very thinly sliced

Steps:

Heat a 6 or 8-quart heavy bottomed soup or sauce pot over a low heat and add the bacon. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook the bacon until crisp golden brown. Leave the bacon pieces and the fat in the pan. Add the butter, onion, thyme and bay leaf. Saute them for about 8 minutes over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, but not browned. Add the potatoes and fish stock. The stock should just barely cover the potatoes. If it doesn't add enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 8 minutes. Add the diced cabbage, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 5 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. The potatoes should be firm in the center and soft on the outside. If the broth hasn't thickened, lightly smash a few potatoes against the side of the pot and simmer 1 or 2 minutes longer to release their starches. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the scallops and let sit for 5 minutes. Add the cream and let sit 10 more minutes while the scallops finish their slow cooking. Retaste the chowder and adjust the 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 completely chilled. Otherwise, let it sit for up to an hour, allowing the flavors to meld. When ready to serve, reheat over a low heat and don't let the chowder boil. Use a slotted spoon to mound the pieces of scallop, potato, cabbage and bacon in the center of large soup plates or shallow bowls and ladle the creamy broth around. Sprinkle generously with sliced scallions.