Pacific Razor Clam Chowder Recipes

CONTEST-WINNING NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, water, clam juice, bouillon, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes., In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes., Stir in clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil). Crumble the cooked bacon; sprinkle over each serving.

FRIED RAZOR CLAMS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• In a bowl, mix crushed crackers with black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Place eggs in a separate bowl. Dip clams into eggs, then into cracker mixture to evenly coat.
• Fry clams in the hot oil until golden brown. Do not over cook.

RAZOR CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Cook the bacon until crisp and set aside, reserving the bacon grease.
• In the same pan used to cook the bacon, add diced onion to the bacon grease and cook until they are soft and translucent.
• Transfer the onion to a large stockpot.
• Add the potatoes, chicken stock, thyme, and oregano and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Chop the bacon and add it to the pot with the clams and clam juice and cook for an additional 5 minutes on medium to low heat. You want your pot to become hot but do not allow it to boil, as the clam meat can easily overcook and become tough.
• Pour in the heavy cream and mix well. Continue cooking on low for an additional 5 minutes.
• Just before serving, slowly sprinkle in the flour one tablespoon at a time while continuing to stir. If you'd like thinner chowder, add only 1 or 2 tablespoons. Heat for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chowder is mixed well and begins to thicken.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST RAZOR CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• 1. In large saucepan, add clams with juice, milk, cream cheese, butter, heavy cream (if using), thyme, parsley, Tabasco and red pepper flakes. Heat gently over low heat.
• 2. In a skillet, render the bacon until it's not quite crisp. Add in potatoes, celery, shallot and garlic...fry until potatoes are just about tender. Add to milk-clam mixture.
• 3. Heat SLOWLY over LOW heat until potatoes are tender. Add in instant potato flakes, a tablespoon at a time, until the chowder is the thickness you would like it to be. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped chives.

PACIFIC SEAFOOD'S CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large, heavy casserole. Add the bacon and saute until crisp. Add the leek, onion and celery and saute until soft and barely golden.
• Stir in the seasonings, clam juice, clams, potatoes and white wine. Cook gently until the potatoes are tender.
• Add the light cream, salt and pepper. Thicken with equal parts flour and butter that have been mixed together.
• [Joan's note: Marranate tells me the chefs create a roux with the butter and flour. Without testing this recipe, I'm not sure how much roux you'll need, so you may as well make a lot. (It keeps well in the freezer, and you can use it to thicken other sauces and soups.).
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over very low heat, melt 1 stick of butter. Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over the butter while whisking the mixture. Cook, whisking continuously, until the mixture is smooth and a pale golden color.
• Add 3/4 of the roux to the soup and continue to cook until the soup thickens. Add the remaining roux if you need it, cooking the soup a bit after the final addition.

PACIFIC RAZOR CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• On high heat in a 2-quart pot, melt the butter.
• Add the onion and garlic and saute' until lightly browned.
• Add the celery, potatoes, chicken stock and white wine.
• Cook until potatoes are done, then add leeks and cream.
• Continue to add herbs, parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
• Let simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, then add the razor clam meat.
• Simmer for 15 more minutes and serve.
• Serve with crusty French bread and more white wine!