Portuguese Clam Chowder Recipes

PORTUGUESE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Warm olive oil in large heavy bottom stock pot. Add onion, green pepper and sausage and saute until veggies are softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic in the last minute.
• Add spices and saute another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add tomato paste and saute another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add canned tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes.
• Add the clams, cover and simmer until all the shells open, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add additional clam broth, if necessary.
• Add vinegar and tarragon and stir in.
• Ladle into individual bowls and add optional seasonings, to taste.

SOUTH COAST PORTUGUESE FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• 1. Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over medium heat and add the olive oil and bay leaves. As soon as the bay leaves turn brown, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 30 seconds or until it is golden. Add the onions, bell pepper, and allspice and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, until the onions and peppers are softened but not browned.
• 2. Add the potatoes and stock; if the stock doesn't cover the potatoes, add just enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat, bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center.
• 3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the tomatoes and sausage, and simmer for 5 minutes. Season the mixture assertively with salt and pepper (you want to almost overseason the chowder at this point, to avoid having to stir it much once the fish is added).
• 4. Add the whole fillets and cook for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat, gently stir in the cilantro, and allow the chowder to sit for 10 minutes. (The fish will finish cooking during this time.) If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let it sit for up to an hour at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.
• 5. When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don't let it boll. Use a slotted spoon to mound the chunks of hake, the chouriço, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes in the center of large soup plates or shallow bowls, and ladle the savory tomato broth over. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve immediately.

PORTUGUESE-STYLE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring for 5 minutes.
• Add the paprika, thyme, and oregano and cook until toasted and aromatic, about 1 minute.
• Add the canned tomatoes, water, sausage, and fennel and bring to a simmer and cook until fennel is tender, about 15 minutes. (if making ahead of time, remove from the heat and refrigerate until ready to finish. Reheat gently before proceeding).
• Add the clams and increase the heat to high.
• Simmer vigorously until the clams open, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Discard any clams that don't open.
• Stir in the Madeira and vinegar.
• Divide among 4 bowls and drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the top. Serve at once!

SOUTH COAST PORTUGUESE FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over medium heat and add the olive oil and bay leaves. As soon as the bay leaves turn brown, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 30 seconds or until it is golden. Add the onions, bell pepper, and allspice and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, until the onions and peppers are softened but not brown.
• Add the potatoes and stock; if the stock doesn't cover the potatoes, add just enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat, bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center.
• Reduce the heat to medium, add the tomatoes and sausage, and simmer for 5 minutes. Season the mixture assertively with salt and pepper (you want to almost overseason the chowder at this point, to avoid having to stir it much once the fish is added).
• Add the whole fillets and cook for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat, gently stir in the cilantro, and allow the chowder to sit for 10 minutes. (The fish will finish cooking during this time.) If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let it sit for up to an hour at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.
• When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don't let it boil. Use a slotted spoon to mold the chunks of hake, the chorico, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes in the center of large soup plates or shallow bowls, and ladle the savory tomato broth over. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.