Dear SOS: This spring my husband and I toured the Northwest and made a stop in Port Townsend, Wash. We had an amazing clam chowder with whole clams in the shell for lunch at Fins Coastal Cuisine. Could you possibly get the recipe from the chef? My husband would be forever grateful!
— Jill Burnham, Loma Linda, Calif.
Dear Jill: Rich and filling, this is a perfect dish for a chilly fall evening. Fins Coastal Cuisine was happy to share its recipe so you can have a taste of Port Townsend here at home.
Fins Clam Chowder
45 minutes
Serves 10 to 12
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely sliced leek (white or light green parts only)
3 cups diced red boiling potato, about 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
4 to 5 lbs. fresh clams in shell
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme
1 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
2 quarts heavy cream or half-and-half
Salt and pepper
Fresh chive blossoms or minced fresh chives, for garnish
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil, shallot, leek and potato, and cook, stirring constantly, until the leek is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, clams and add the wine. Continue to cook, scraping any flavoring from the bottom of the pan, until the wine is reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
Stir in the cream, thyme and parsley, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and continue to cook until the clams are opened and the potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Taste and season as desired with salt and pepper.
This makes about 3 quarts soup. Garnish each serving with 2 chive blossoms or a sprinkling of minced fresh chives.
Each of 12 servings: calories 694; protein 11 g; carbohydrates 16 g; fiber 1 g; fat 64 g; saturated fat 38 g; cholesterol 236 mg; sugar 6 g; sodium 373 mg
Note: Adapted from chef Woody Scanlon of Fins Coastal Cuisine in Port Townsend, Wash. Fresh chive blossoms can be found at select farmers markets as well as in well-stocked herb sections of many gardening and hardware stores.
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