WHISKEY SMOKED SALMON CHOWDER

WHISKEY SMOKED SALMON CHOWDER image

Yield 8 people

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 cup butter
2 onions, finely chopped
6 celery stalks, finely chopped
Pinch saffron threads, optional
8 small red or white potatoes peeled and diced (2-3 cups)
1/2 cup chopped fresh fennel bulob
2 cups milk
2 8-oz. bottles clam juice
2-1/2 cups corn kernels
1 cup heavy cream
2-4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon lobster base, optional
1 pound smoked salmon, cut into small pieces
Juice and zest of 1 small lemon
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
2 oz. Jack Daniel's whiskey
Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

1. Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot, and saute the onions, celery and saffron (if using) over medium heat until softened. Add the potatoes and fennel, and saute briefly before pouring in the milk and clam juice. Cover, and let the mixture simmer on medium heat until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. 2. Add the corn, cream, tomato paste and lobster base (if using). Cook 5 minutes more, add the salmon, lemon juice, lemon zest, dill and whiskey. Season with salt and pepper