Ken's basic chowder

[chopsaw]

I did the Old Bay seasoned oyster crackers with somewhat mixed results.

They look good . The crackers don't like to hold the seasoning as good as some other things . Try regular olive oil and toss in a bowl if you try again .

 

[chef k-dude]

That's what I was thinking, Chop. Maybe a drizzle with a squirt bottle instead of the spray can. If all goes right today I'll be having fresh baked sourdough with the last of these leftovers tonight!

 

[chopsaw]

fresh baked sourdough

That's another option . I save the end of the sourdough and cut into croutons . Season up and dry in the oven . I use them in soups and salads , or grind into bread crumbs .

 

[chef k-dude]

Hadn't thought of sourdough croutons! No way I'm giving up my ends though, thats my favorite part while still warm

The loaf came out well, I'll post at some point. Got this danged "work" thing to tend to today.

 

[millerbuilds]

Felt good enough to snap some pics last night for the first time in a while. I make chowder usually a couple times a winter and it's been chilly again here in Central Virginia...got down to 27 overnight.

The spread
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Potatoes peeled and diced about 1/2" and in the pot with the juice from the clams and the bottle of clam juice, a Bay leaf and a pinch of granulated chicken bouillon for salt/umami. Boiled carefully till not quite totally soft. Careful to not obliterate the potatoes.
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Diced onion and celery, sauteed in butter and olive oil. Coarse black pepper and red pepper flakes. Chopped garlic in there for 30 seconds.
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Then flour for about 30 seconds to a minute, then slowly adding a half and half/heavy whipping cream mixture. Cooked till thick and bubbly, 3-5 minutes.
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That goes in to the pot now, all mixed together and heated through. At this point, I turned the eye off and let 'er sit. It wasn't dinnertime yet.
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Getting close to time to eat, I added the drained clams, a squirt of Texas Pete and a tablespoon of red wine vinegar. While that was getting hot I microwaved three large slices of bacon (the ready to go stuff) for two of us and chopped a couple large green onions. Also put some oyster crackers in serving bowls for serving on the side.
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Ready to eat...in the bowl
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For me, a healthy squirt of Texas Pete and some fresh cracked black pepper
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Then topped with crumbled bacon and chopped green onions
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And I love me some oyster crackers, sprinkling them in as I eat so they dont get soggy.
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Pretty tasty for a chilly April Virginia night.

Dang! That is a tasty looking bowl of Chowder, nice work and Thank you for sharing.

- Jason