CLAM CHOWDER

Clam Chowder image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 1h45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

5 pounds littleneck clams, scrubbed in cold water until no grit remains on the shells
8 ounces pre-sliced bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
Dried Aleppo pepper (or any other smoky dried pepper), for dusting
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 stalks green celery, washed, trimmed and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 leeks (white and light green part only), cleaned and diced
1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
1 cup dry vermouth
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
4 Yukon gold potatoes, washed and cut into 3/4-inch dice
2 bay leaves
Hot sauce, for flavor
Worcestershire sauce, for flavor
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon dry marsala
Baked Bread, for dipping, recipe follows
Eight 3/4- to 1-inch-thick slices sourdough bread
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into thin slices
Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dill seeds

Steps:

Place a large pot or rondeau on the stove and add 3 cups water. Bring the water to a boil and add the clams. Cook until the clams pop open. Though it is important to stir the clams as they cook, take care because the shells are fragile and break easily. Put the clams in a colander and reserve the cooking liquid. Shell the clams; discard the shells and reserve the clam meat and the liquid separately.
Add the bacon to another large pot and cook over medium heat until crispy. Drain the bacon with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel, dust with Aleppo pepper and set aside. Add the butter to the bacon fat in the pot and quickly cook the celery, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Remove the celery with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the garlic, leeks and onions to the pot and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook until the vegetables become tender and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the vermouth. Continue to cook until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in another large pot, combine the cream, thyme, potatoes and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Add a splash of hot sauce and Worcestershire. Stir to blend. Taste for seasoning.
There is a good chance there will be grit in the clam cooking liquid. Strain it and add it to the onion/leek mixture. Stir to blend. Taste for seasoning. Combine with the potato mixture. Add the clam meat, reserved celery, tarragon and dill. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Add the marsala. Taste for seasoning. Add more cream and water if needed. Top with the bacon just before serving and serve with the Baked Bread.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Melt the butter in a small skillet over low heat and add the garlic. Sprinkle with salt and white pepper. Heat gently for 1 minute. Use a pastry brush to coat the bread slices with the butter. Pour any remaining butter into the bottom of the baking sheet. Dust the bread with the paprika and dill seeds. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake until the slices are browned and crispy, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and cool for a minute before serving alongside the soup.

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