Cape Anne Chowder Recipes

Steps:

• Put the salt pork on a plate and wrap in plastic. Cook in microwave for 2 1/2 minutes. Meanwhile, make roux with the same amounts of butter and flour. Add 3/4 pound of flour to 3/4 pound of the butter and stir. Make the roux pourable but not too loose or too thick. Begin to cook on low flame or in an oven until the roux is nice and hot. In a heavy bottomed pot, put the remaining 1/4 pound butter and the salt pork. After the salt pork gets lightly browned, take the chunks out. Add the onion, celery and herbs, let it saute for about 5 minutes. Add water and potatoes and bring it to a boil. Then add the clam base, keep stirring so the base and potatoes don't stick or burn to the bottom of the pan. Add the clams and their juice. When the potatoes become slightly tender bring everything back to a boil and start adding the hot roux. Turn the flame down a little and let simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Slowly add the light cream to the base until you get the right creamy chowder, not too thick or thin. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Cook and stir bacon in large saucepan on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan with slotted spoon, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in pan. Drain bacon on paper towels.
• Add onions to drippings in pan; cook 5 to 6 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Add flour; mix well. Gradually stir in water until blended. Add vegetables and pepper; stir. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat 20 min. or until potatoes are tender.
• Stir in cheese; cook 2 min. or until melted, stirring frequently. Add milk, cod and crabmeat; cook 8 to 10 min. or until fish is done, stirring occasionally. Serve topped with bacon.