Monday 28 July 2014

Seafood Chowder

Being winter, I love creating new winter warmer and comfort food dishes. And there's not much that beats a nice chunky chowder.


 When I was young, whenever we would go out for a meal as a family my Mom would always jump straight to the seafood chowder. It was always her favorite thing to eat. I am always more weary about seafood. I only like it if it's cooked perfectly, always think I don't like most shellfish until I actually eat it, then remember "oh yeah, this is good." Because of these silly little habits I only ordered my first seafood chowder a few months back while Emmet and I were on the road, headed on a weekend trip away. I ordered a seafood chowder from a cafe at a small fishing village. It was delicious. I loved every mouthful of the thick, creamy chowder, packed full of seafood, fresh from the ocean. I knew then that I needed to create my own recipe.


I wanted to keep my recipe to the bare basics. I know a lot of chowders call for diced potato. If you want to add this too then by all means chuck that potato right on in.

Seafood Chowder


Serves 4

1 onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 Cups fish stock
1/4 Cup plain flour
1 dozen scallops
100 g prawns/shrimp
100 g mussels
300 g Hoki fillets (or any white fleshed fish), diced
1 Cup cream
1 tsp chopped thyme
1 tsp chopped dill

1. Heat a dash of oil or butter in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. Fry the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the fish stock and slowly whisk in the flour, making sure the broth is lump free. Bring to a simmer.

3. Add the seafood and cook for about 6 minutes (if the mussels are precooked, add these in the final minute or two).

4. Add the cream, thyme, and dill and stir until the chowder returns to a simmer and is thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and a dash of lemon juice if desired.

5. Serve with crusty bread.


19 comments:

  1. Are you guys in Australia? I'm pretty sure we're in the middle of summer silly gooses? :-)

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    1. I'm in New Zealand, where it's the middle of winter :)

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  2. I'm like your Mama, a seafood chowder girl. I have to say though, sometimes ordering them can be disappointing, especially if they're stingy with the seafood or just use cheap, frozen stuff. That's why it's better to make it yourself.

    Yours looks delicious by the way.

    Sometimes I add a little smoke like smoked fish. Adds an extra dimension of flavour.

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    1. Thanks! I will definitely try the smoky flavor. That sounds like a great addition :)

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  3. Nicole your seafood chowder recipe looks so easy and sounds delicious. We're in the midst of summer but I would have no problem making seafood chowder anytime. I've pinned and shared.

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  4. G'day Nothing like a seafood chowder in this wintry weather Nicole! YUM!
    Cheers! Joanne @ What's On The List

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  5. I have never made my own seafood chowder and yours looks so inviting and easy to make. Thanks for yet another wonderful recipe!

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  6. Your seafood chowder looks delicious and loaded with so many goodies. It's cool where I live, so chowder is a perfect meal any time of year.

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  7. Your SEAFOOD CHOWDER looks delicious! We eat chowder, soups and stews year 'round! <3

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  8. Seafood chowder looks scrumptious! Saved the recipe to try soon..

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  9. I love seafood chowder but I've never made it; yours looks perfectly delicious! Thanks for sharing this one!

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  10. This looks so yummy! I could eat soup year 'round, and especially a good seafood chowder. Yours sounds nice and easy too! Thanks for sharing your recipe!

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  11. That looks delicious! A perfect winter meal. However, it is currently sweltering where I live, so I'll have to hold onto this one for the colder months. Love it! Thank you for linking at the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you again next week.

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  12. Love this recipe, Nicole, and love finding your beautiful blog. It's like winter here because it's so darn cold this summer, lol. New Zealand is on my bucket list and hope to get there soon rather than later. You have a new follower. Thanks for a great dish! :)

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  13. I love seafood chowder and I eat it in the summer as well as the winter. In the fall is when I really start with soups though...we'll definitely be trying this!

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  14. I love seafood chowder and homemade is absolutely the best. Your recipe sounds delicious, Nicole. I like the different fish you have used, especially the Hoki. It's hard to get here, but it's a favourite! Thank you for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.

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  15. Delicious seafood chowder, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop , pinning

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  16. YIPPEE!!!! Your Seafood Chowder is being featured this week at MUNCHING MONDAYS!!!! Congrats and make sure to stop by!!!!

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  17. This looks and sounds so amazing, we all love chowder in my house. Pinning.

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