Let's Talk BBQ

Recipes => Recipes => Seafood => Topic started by: ACW3 on November 01, 2014, 07:25:37 PM

Title: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: ACW3 on November 01, 2014, 07:25:37 PM
The weather got a lot cooler since yesterday.  We had snow in the mountains near us, but none here, yet.  To me that means it is “SOUP” weather.  It never got real cold last year, so I never made any soup.  I had the ingredients for some Cliff House Clam Chowder.  This recipe comes from the Cliff House in Ogunquit, ME.  This recipe has been on their menu since 1872.  I have made it several times and there is a good reason it lasted on the menu that long.  Tonights meal was no exception.

Some of the players.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/DSCN2280_zpsf906046c.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/DSCN2280_zpsf906046c.jpg.html)

This is my jar of the Cliff House Spice Blend.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/DSCN2281_zpsc18bf919.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/DSCN2281_zpsc18bf919.jpg.html)

Potatoes that have been peeled and diced getting ready to be added to the main event.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/DSCN2284_zpsa547827e.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/DSCN2284_zpsa547827e.jpg.html)

Time for a drink break for the cook.  Bought some Shiner Bock when we were in Texas.  Wish I could get it locally.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/DSCN2282_zps5787198b.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/DSCN2282_zps5787198b.jpg.html)

As if you couldn’t tell, I like a lot of clams in my clam chowder.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/DSCN2286_zpseab315fb.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/DSCN2286_zpseab315fb.jpg.html)

A bowl of goodness!!  My wife and I will be enjoying this for several meals this week.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/DSCN2288_zpsf486b88b.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/DSCN2288_zpsf486b88b.jpg.html)


I made a quadruple batch, with a few exceptions.  I increased the bacon to a half pound (about 8 slices) and the amount of clams to about 3.5 pounds.

Here is the basic recipe.  Enjoy!!

Art



The Cliff House Clam Chowder

Recipe By: The Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine.
Serving Size: 6

Ingredients:

1 slice hickory-smoked bacon, minced
1/2 teaspoon butter
1 cup onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon The Cliff House spice blend (see below)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 can (6.5 ounce size) clams
1 cup bottled clam juice (8 ounce bottles)
1 1/2 cup half and half
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled and diced

Cliff House Spice Blend

4 teaspoons dried oregano
4 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
2 teaspoons dried dill
4 teaspoons dried thyme
4 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried sage
4 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 teaspoons dried tarragon
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. To Create The Cliff House Spice Blend: blend ingredients, crushing in a mortar if possible. Store in a resealable plastic bag to refrigerate.

2. In a heavy-bottomed, 4-pint soup kettle, saute bacon, butter, onion, garlic and The Cliff House Spice Blend over low heat. Do not allow to brown.

3. Drain clams and set aside, reserving the juice. Slowly stir the flour and clam juices in the saute mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add half and half and simmer 20 minutes.

4. Add white pepper, potatoes and clams. Heat to serving temperature. Do not allow to boil, as this toughens the clams. Serve at once with crackers and warm cornbread.





 
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: sliding_billy on November 01, 2014, 07:37:56 PM
Great looking bowl of chowder!
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: TentHunteR on November 01, 2014, 08:01:26 PM
Art that looks incredible. Perfect cold weather food.
Title: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: Scallywag on November 01, 2014, 08:31:21 PM
Wow.. Bookmarked!
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: CDN Smoker on November 01, 2014, 09:55:16 PM
Thank You Sir, Bookmarked  ;D
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: Smokin Don on November 01, 2014, 11:13:17 PM
OH that looks good Art!!! We were on the same wave length; I had ham and bean soup tonight. Saved your recipe and have to try it, sounds great!!! Don
I forgot to say the beer for the cook was a great choice, I love that stuff and glad I can get it here.
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: IR2dum on November 01, 2014, 11:43:43 PM
Art, that looks delicious. Shiner Bock goes good with anything.
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: muebe on November 02, 2014, 06:42:11 AM
One of my favorite soups is Clam Chowder. The other is Tomato.

Oh my that soup looks really good! Bookmarked!
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: fishingbouchman on November 02, 2014, 06:45:10 AM
I could go for a bowl if that now looks great
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: Hub on November 02, 2014, 07:33:15 AM
My nominee for best use of bacon in a supporting role  ::)
Try Ingles for Shiner Bock.

Hub
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: MoHuka on November 02, 2014, 09:29:30 AM
Thanks Art and bookmarked...clam chowder is my favorite.  I noticed that flour shows up under ingredients as well as in the Cliff House mixture..is this correct?
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: Las Vegan Cajun on November 02, 2014, 10:05:24 AM
Great looking bowl of chowder  ;)
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: IR2dum on November 02, 2014, 10:13:41 AM
Art, that bowl of clam chowder looks delicious.
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: ACW3 on November 02, 2014, 10:22:17 AM
Thanks Art and bookmarked...clam chowder is my favorite.  I noticed that flour shows up under ingredients as well as in the Cliff House mixture..is this correct?

Yes, it is.  It is just a thickening agent.  You mix it in and create a roux with the onions, bacon and spice blend.  It doesn't thicken it too much, however.  If you want a thicker or thinner consistency, adjust the amount of flour accordingly.  I found that by following the recipe (with the exception of the bacon and clams) that it comes out really good.

Art
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: HighOnSmoke on November 02, 2014, 10:46:13 AM
Absolutely delicious looking clam chowder Art! Bookmarked!
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: TwoPockets on November 02, 2014, 11:27:52 AM
Oh man! That would be so nice on this chilly Sunday morning. Comfort food at it's best.
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: pz on November 02, 2014, 12:35:16 PM
That bowl looks really good!
Title: Re: Cliff House Clam Chowder
Post by: hikerman on November 02, 2014, 12:40:45 PM
I love clam chowder and this looks to die for Art!
Thanks for sharing!