So, What Is Chowder?
The question of what exactly defines a ‘chowder’ is such a hot-button issue for certain people that we’re tempted to plead the fifth. Although it’s a word that usually connotes a seafood stew of some sort, chowder ingredients can vary widely from region to region—a creamless, tomato-y cioppino-esque broth in New York, or a rich, thick, cream-based one in New England. The word ‘chowder’ itself is likely a derivative of a French word “chaudiere”, used by French settlers in the coastal regions of Canada in reference to a certain type of large pot used to boil (among other things) fresh shellfish.
In his famous book, American Cookery, James Beard asserts that, in part because of the common inclusion of new world ingredients like corn and potatoes, “I am sure that clam chowder as it is known today did not originate before the nineteenth century.” With origins as opaque as a bowl of chowder itself, we’ll just say that chowder is (usually) a creamy, potato-y, seafood stew and it’s delicious—on that point, at least, we can all agree.
5 Reasons To Love This Easy Fish Chowder Recipe
If you’ve got a hang up about making chowder at home, that’s probably because you think that seafood chowder is hard to make. And you’re right! Most classic clam chowder recipes are, in fact, quite fussy. You have to steam the clams, and then deal with all of those shells—so much work for such tiny mollusks! Salmon chowder, on the other hand, is just as delectably savory as clam chowder, and substantially easier to make. Here are five reasons that this is the best chowder recipe ever:
- It’s easy. It just is. No hard-to-find ingredients, not too much chopping or other prep—just a simple salmon corn chowder. We even use frozen corn, which is cooked as the soup simmers, to make prep that much faster.
- It’s a meal all by itself. Sure, you can serve it with a big green salad, or a fancy loaf of country bread, but it’s also just as good on its own.
- It cooks in just one pot! One pot means easy clean-up. Easy clean-up means domestic bliss.
- It’s ready in just about 30 minutes, which means this can be a weeknight chowder recipe. Fall and winter weeknights—dreary with homework and early sunsets—are exactly when we need comforting, steaming hot bowls of chowder the most!
- It’s safe for people with shellfish allergies! If you have to avoid clam chowder because of a shellfish allergy—as many people do—but can safely eat fish, this salmon chowder might be just the recipe you’re wishing for.
How To Make Salmon Chowder:
Let's just cut right to the chase. This chowder is not 'light' in any way shape or form. From step one, it's a study in comfort and decadence:
- Sauté bacon in butter. Cook til it's crispy, and then set it aside (leaving the fat in the pot).
- Sauté celery, onions, jalapenos, scallions and garlic in said bacon-and-butter fat until they're soft.
- Get simmering! Add your potatoes, salt, pepper and bacon to the softened spicy mirepoix. Pour in the broth and bring the whole glorious mess to a strong simmer.
- Make a slurry! Whisk cornstarch into some water to form a slurry. This starchy paste will help to give your salmon chowder a nice thickness and heft. Stir the slurry into the soup and bring the chowder base (because that's what it is now!) to a boil.
- Simmer again! Turn the heat down a bit and stir in the frozen corn and heavy cream, then lay the salmon pieces on top of the simmering chowder. Cover and simmer until the salmon is cooked.
- Ta da! You made chowder! Now you get to eat it!
Tools You’ll Need:
- A cutting board.
- A big stock potwith a lid.
- A sharp knife.
- A good ladle.
- A tiny whisk. (handy for making the cornstarch slurry, but a fork will do in a pinch.)
- A liquid measuring cup.
6 Hearty Soup Recipes to Warm You Up This Season
We make a lot of soup. Like, A LOT. Here are six easy soup recipes that are on heavy rotation in our homes at the moment:
You’re a Salmon and Corn Chowder Whiz Now, Right?
We hope this quick, easy salmon chowder recipe hit the spot! Snap a photo of your creamy salmon corn chowder and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you serve it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so we can toast you from afar! Happy eating!
