Ella Walter
Clam chowder is a hearty and comforting soup that can be easily made in a crock pot. The slow cooking process allows the flavours to blend together, resulting in a rich and creamy broth. This dish is perfect for chilly days and can be served with crackers, biscuits, or bread on the side. The ingredients are simple and include minced clams, bacon, onion, milk, potatoes, and other vegetables. The crock pot does most of the work, making this an easy recipe to follow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Comfort food, soup |
| Main Ingredients | Clams, potatoes, bacon, milk/cream, onion, celery |
| Other Ingredients | Thyme, black pepper, garlic, bay leaf, salt, parsley, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, basil, mushroom |
| Crockpot/Slow Cooker Size | Minimum 4 quarts |
| Cooking Time | 3-5 hours |
| Serving Suggestions | Saltine crackers, oyster crackers, biscuits, bread, chives, paprika, butter |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and prep
The ingredients for a clam chowder cooked in a crock pot are simple and can be adapted to your preference. The recipe is for Boston Clam Chowder, also known as New England Clam Chowder, which is a creamy, white soup.
Firstly, you will need to prepare your vegetables and bacon. Dice your celery, onion, and potatoes. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it is not essential. You will also need to cook and dice your bacon. Fry a few extra strips of bacon and put them to one side to cool, as these will be crumbled and used as a garnish later.
For the soup, you will need your diced potatoes, celery, and onion, along with the clam juice, and just enough water to cover the ingredients. You can also add chicken bouillon for extra flavour. You can sauté your vegetables in bacon fat for a huge flavour boost, and you can brown the onions and potatoes for extra colour.
The clams are usually canned and minced, and you can add some of the clam juice to the soup for extra flavour. You can also add cream cheese to the soup for a rich, velvety body.
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Cooking method
To cook clam chowder in a crock pot, you'll first want to prepare your ingredients. Dice up your celery and onion, peel and dice your potatoes, and cook and dice your bacon. You can also add carrots and garlic to the mix.
Next, you'll want to get out your slow cooker. Put the cans of chopped clams, with their juice, into the slow cooker, along with the potatoes, celery, onion, garlic, and bacon. You can also add in some chicken broth or water, and a teaspoon of salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or until the vegetables are tender.
As the crock pot mixture completes 3 hours of cooking, combine 1 cup of half-and-half, cream, or milk with cornstarch. Add the cornstarch mixture and the remaining 3 cups of half-and-half, cream, or milk to the slow cooker and stir to blend. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt if needed.
Let the mixture heat up, and then serve! You can garnish your clam chowder with crumbled bacon, sliced green onion tops, shredded mild cheese, or chopped chives. For a restaurant-style touch, top your chowder with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of paprika, and serve it with warm sourdough bread and butter or saltine crackers.
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Serving suggestions
Crockpot clam chowder is a delicious and creamy dish, perfect for a cold day. The rich flavours of clam, bacon, and potato are comforting and satisfying. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your crockpot clam chowder and make it a complete meal:
Breads and Crackers
For a classic pairing, serve your chowder with some crunchy crackers. Oyster crackers are a popular choice, but saltine crackers also work well. For a more indulgent option, serve your chowder in a bread bowl, or with warm sourdough bread and butter on the side. You can also offer biscuits for a heartier option.
Garnishes
Garnishes add a pop of colour and a boost of flavour to your chowder. Try garnishing with chopped fresh parsley, chives, or green onion tops. For a smoky flavour, sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top. You can also add a pat of butter and a sprinkle of paprika for a restaurant-style presentation.
Sides
Clam chowder pairs well with a variety of sides. Try serving it with an Italian fresh green salad to balance out the richness of the soup. Homemade rolls or breadsticks are also excellent for dipping into the chowder.
Variations
For a heartier meal, you can add extra ingredients to your chowder. Sautéed vegetables like celery, carrots, and onions can enhance the flavour and add texture. You can also include mushrooms, garlic, and even cheese for a more indulgent dish.
With these serving suggestions, your crockpot clam chowder will be a delicious and memorable meal for you and your guests. Enjoy the comforting flavours and creamy texture of this easy-to-make dish.
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Adapt for stovetop
To adapt the crockpot clam chowder recipe for a stovetop, follow these steps:
First, prepare all your vegetables and bacon ahead of time. Cook and dice your bacon, and dice your celery, onion, and potatoes. Drain the juice from the canned clams into a large saucepan, reserving the clams. Add the diced potatoes, onion, celery, chicken bouillon, and just enough water to cover all the ingredients to the saucepan.
Simmer the vegetables for 20 minutes on the stove, until they are softened. Then, add the cooked bacon, clams, and any additional seasonings to the saucepan. You can also add cream cheese, cream of mushroom soup, dried basil, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to taste.
Stir the ingredients together and simmer the chowder over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes before serving. If you prefer a thicker consistency, whisk together some cornstarch and half-and-half, milk, or cream, and add it to the saucepan, stirring until blended.
Serve the stovetop clam chowder with oyster crackers, parsley, or chives as a garnish. You can also serve it in a bread bowl or with warm sourdough bread on the side. Enjoy your delicious, creamy clam chowder made right on your stovetop!
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Nutrition information
Clam chowder is a great source of nutrition, especially when made with clams, which are a good source of protein and healthy fats, as well as being loaded with iron. Clams are also low in calories, with a 3-ounce serving containing about 125 calories but packed with 22 grams of protein and various vitamins and minerals.
The other common ingredients in crockpot clam chowder include potatoes, which are a good source of carbohydrates, and bacon, which adds protein and fats. Some recipes also include milk or cream, which contribute to the fat and protein content, as well as calcium.
The nutritional value of a bowl of clam chowder will depend on the specific ingredients and quantities used, but here is an example of the nutrition information for one serving (based on a recipe that serves 6):
- Calories: 346kcal
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 76mg
- Sodium: 898mg
- Potassium: 512mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
- Vitamin A: 883IU
- Vitamin C: 7mg
- Calcium: 196mg
- Iron: 1mg
It's important to note that the above values are estimates and may vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredient amounts used.
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