The smokiness of bacon and spiciness of the sausage, together with the aromatics of fennel and bay leaf make this recipe of my favourite chowders. This time, I used spicy moose sausages, but merguez is a great substitute. Serve for lunch with a piece of grilled bread and a glass of white wine.
Revamped Clam Chowder with Sausage and Fennel
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
Aromatic fennel, bacon, and spicy sausage create a whole new world of clam chowder that goes great with grilled bread and a glass of white wine.
Ingredients
Clams
- 2 lbs whole clams
- 1 cup white wine
Chowder
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 1 medium potato, diced small
- 3 thickly cut slices of smoked bacon
- 2 sausages, cut in slices
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 3/4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- a squeeze of lemon
- sea salt
Garnish
- 1 cup edamame, blanched for 2 minutes, cooled in icy cold water
- small handful of parsley, thinly sliced
- few fennel strands
Instructions
Clams
- Cook the clams, covered, with the wine for a few minutes until they open.
- Reserve the cooking liquid, you should have about 2 cups.
Chowder
- In a large pot melt the butter and cook the onions on medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add the fennel, potato, bacon, sausages, bay leaves and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add the reserved cooking liquid and simmer for a few minutes then add the milk, cream, garlic, and lemon. Simmer on low for 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt.
Garnish
- Serve chowder with the reserved clams either in it or in the shell.
- Garnish with some warmed edamame, parsley and fennel strands.
- Category: Main
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of sausage instead of spicy moose sausages?
Yes, you can substitute spicy moose sausages with merguez or any other sausage that you prefer; just adjust the seasoning accordingly.
How does the fennel affect the flavor of the clam chowder?
The fennel adds a subtle anise-like flavor that complements the smokiness of the bacon and the spiciness of the sausage, enhancing the overall depth of the chowder.
What type of bread pairs best with this clam chowder?
Grilled bread is ideal for serving with this chowder, as it provides a nice crunch and complements the creamy texture of the soup.
what type of sausage? Italian, chorizo, kielbasa, Andouille?? Each one of these would add a very different seasoning profile and layer of flavor..
Excellent Recipe. Keep it up, many thanks.