RecipeBlog - Feature - Clam Chowder For Two

Clam Chowder For Two Recipe

By: Andrea Alden

Clam Chowder For Two is a fast and easy supper, or a great little appetizer. Creamy and full of flavor, you won’t believe how easy it is to make. Smoking the cream and the clams adds a barbecue flavor like no other. 

Prep Time
130 min
Cook Time
30 min
Yield
2 to 4
Difficulty
Easy

Clam Chowder For Two Recipe

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Ingredients

Method

Photos

Ingredients

2

slices of bacon, diced

1

small onion, diced

2

stalks celery, sliced

2

cloves garlic, minced

2 to 3 tbsp.

flour

1¾ cup

chicken stock

5

medium-small potatoes, peeled and sliced into ½ inch chunks

1 can

clams in juice (5 oz./142 g)

1 cup

smoked cream 

½ tsp.

thyme

salt and pepper to taste

 

SMOKED CREAM

1L

heavy cream

hickory or mesquite wood chips, soaked

Ice water

Method
  1. If you don’t have any smoked cream, you will need to make it before starting. This is a fantastic opportunity to add a little extra flavor to the clams as well, however smoking is optional.
  2. Fill a PRO Stainless Steel Smoker Tube with un-soaked wood chips. Place the Smoker Tube onto the sear plates over the burner you intend to light. Turn that burner on to the lowest setting you can achieve, warming the grill to 200°F or less, just enough for the wood to start smoking.
  3. Pour the cream into a shallow and flat tray. Place that tray into a larger tray that is filled with ice and water to keep the cream cold. Disposable foil trays are ideal for this. Smoke the cream for up to 2 hours, tasting periodically to ensure you get the right amount of smoke taste for you.
  4. While the cream is being smoked, drain the water from the canned clams, reserving it for later. Smoke the clams by laying them on a parchment lined baking tray and placing them over indirect heat. Clams won’t need that long, 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your desired smokiness and texture. Remove from the grill and set aside when done.
  5. When the cream is smoky enough for you, remove it from the grill and set 1 cup aside for the chowder, while placing whatever is left into an airtight container for up to 1 week.
  6. In a medium sized pot, cook the bacon until nearly crisp over medium-low heat. Then add the onion and celery, continuing to cook until translucent. Add the garlic, cooking another minute.
  7. Stir in the flour, allowing it to cook for a minute or so. Slowly add the chicken stock, 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time, stirring until the liquid is absorbed before adding more. Continue adding stock until it’s gone. Then pour in the reserved clam juice and thyme.
  8. Add the potatoes and bring the chowder to a simmer until the potatoes are tender. Then stir in the smoked cream and clams allowing everything get warm for serving.
  9. Serve hot with a sprinkling of fresh herbs, croutons, or maybe even some parmesan cheese.

Clams are a different experience. The can smells like chicken, and salmon maybe, and the texture is something I haven’t been able to decide on yet, but the Clam Chowder For Two was delicious. (And, bacon makes everything better.) This creamy, smoky, chowder was filling and delicious, serving two people a nice big bowl each, but would work just as well as an appetizer for four. Now I have to ask. If you’re having clam chowder, is it the red or the white? And what do you think clams taste/feel like?

Happy Grilling! 

RecipeBlog - Clam Chowder For Two - Serve1

Serve this hearty chowder with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, croutons, and parmesan

RecipeBlog - Clam Chowder For Two - Serve2

Add crackers on the side to enjoy with the smoky chowder

RecipeBlog - Clam Chowder For Two - Serve3

This creamy and thick Clam Chowder will be sure to warm you up on a cold winter day

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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RecipeBlog - Clam Chowder For Two - Serve1

Serve this hearty chowder with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, croutons, and parmesan

RecipeBlog - Clam Chowder For Two - Serve2

Add crackers on the side to enjoy with the smoky chowder

RecipeBlog - Clam Chowder For Two - Serve3

This creamy and thick Clam Chowder will be sure to warm you up on a cold winter day