SHELLFISH CHOWDER WITH FRESH THYME

Shellfish Chowder with Fresh Thyme image

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

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2 6 1/2-ounce cans chopped clams with juices
3 ounces salt pork, cut into 1/3-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup water
1 pound red-skinned potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 bay leaf, broken in half
3 1/2 cups whole milk
10 ounces bay scallops
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Steps:

Drain clams, reserving juices. Sauté salt pork in heavy large pot over medium heat until golden, about 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from pot. Add onion to pot; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add flour; stir 1 minute. Gradually mix in water and clam juices. Bring to boil, stirring often. Add potatoes, thyme and bay leaf. Reduce heat; cover pot and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill chowder, clams and salt pork separately. Bring chowder to simmer before continuing.)
Add milk to chowder and bring to simmer, stirring occasionally. Add scallops and reserved clams and simmer until scallops are opaque, about 2 minutes. Season with white pepper and salt. Ladle chowder into bowls. Garnish with salt pork.