Spicy Southwestern Clam Chowder Recipes

PRESSURE-COOKER SONORAN CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Select saute setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Adjust for medium heat; add bacon. Cook until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 2 tablespoons in pan. Add butter to drippings in pressure cooker. Cook and stir onion, red pepper and chiles until tender, 7-9 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Press cancel., Drain clams; pour juice into pressure cooker. Set clams aside. Stir in potatoes and stock. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 4 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 4 minutes; quick-release any remaining pressure. Select sauté setting and adjust for low heat. Add clams, cream, taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon cilantro; simmer, uncovered, until mixture is heated through, 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press cancel. Serve with bacon and remaining 1 tablespoon cilantro.

SPICY MANHATTAN CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Drain clams-reserve liquid. Add water to clam liquid to make 3 cups.
• Partially cook bacon, stir in celery and onion and cook till tender Stir in tomatoes and juice, clam juice, potatoes, carrots, thyme, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp white (or black) pepper.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 30 min (till veggies are tender). Mash slightly to thicken.
• Stir in clams and heat through.

SANTA FE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add chorizo; sauté until fat is rendered, about 3 minutes. Add next 6 ingredients; sauté until onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Mix in oregano and cumin, then tomatoes, corn, and bottled clam juice. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until potatoes are almost tender, about 12 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cool, then cover and chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
• Add clams to mixture in pot; cover and cook over medium-high heat until clams open and potatoes are tender, about 7 minutes (discard any clams that do not open). Mix in 4 tablespoons cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide clams among 6 shallow soup bowls. Ladle chowder over. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro and serve.
• A smoked-pork link sausage flavored with garlic and spices, but milder than Mexican chorizo. Spanish chorizo is available at Spanish markets and specialty foods stores.

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.