Fish Chowder With Herbed Oyster Crackers Recipes

FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Saute onions, mushrooms and celery in butter until tender.
• Add chicken stock and potatoes; simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add fish, and simmer another 10 minutes.
• Mix together clam juice and flour until smooth; stir into soup and simmer for 1 minute more. Season to taste with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat, and stir in evaporated milk. Top each bowl with crumbled bacon, if desired.

FISH CHOWDER WITH HERBED OYSTER CRACKERS

Steps:

• To make the fish chowder:
• In a heavy saucepan cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Pour off fat and in pan cook onion, carrot, and celery in butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened.
• Sprinkle flour over mixture and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Stir in paprika and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add clam juice, water, and cream and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• While mixture is coming to a boil, peel potato and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Add potato to mixture and simmer chowder, uncovered, 12 minutes. Stir in fish and simmer until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley, bacon, and salt and pepper.
• Serve chowder with herbed oyster crackers.
• To make the crackers:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a small saucepan melt butter with thyme, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring. Add crackers and toss to coat with butter. On a baking sheet arrange crackers in one layer and bake in middle of oven 10 minutes, or until deep golden.
• Makes 1 1/2 cups.