Things melt. Some not in a nice way. Like berries. The fish on the other hand was just thawed and still very usable. But we’ve had a lot of scallops, halibut cheeks and salmon this week. Now I’m not complaining exactly, except I wouldn’t indulge in this much good product in just one week.
This scallop chowder came together from a scan through of many recipes none of which I honestly feel moved to credit. Unlike the salmon patties that I made primarily from Ina Garten’s recipe (up next).
{Print Fresh Scallop Chowder Recipe}
Start with the bacon in a heavy pot. Ok, this may not look heart healthy but really it’s a small amount for flavor. Hint- cook a little extra as you will inevitably nibble a half a strip. And let’s remember all those green smoothies we also consume.
You can towel it dry if you must.
But no don’t because we want to fry up the scallops and veg in the drippings:) First lightly sear off the scallops in the bacon fat (did I just say that out loud?) Just till opaque- we don’t want them triple bouncing off the floor. Set them aside with the juice that forms. Scallops have some water content that will release when cooked. Side note: when you sear them to serve individually don’t cook too many at one time or you end up sort of steaming them. The juices here though just add to the chowder.
Let them cool. Then cut them up into about thirds.
I used some lovely red potatoes.
Then the basics- leeks, carrots and celery. After the scallops are removed, you’ll add a little butter to cook up the veggies and then deglaze with a little white wine and reduce just a couple minutes.
And fresh herbs. Always fresh herbs when you can I say. Thyme. Bay. Marjoram. I did use some Old bay seasoning which somehow reminds me of my grandma cooking… but it has its place. No offense grandma.
And here’s what you do when you forgot to thaw the stock. I had to guestimate a wee bit on amount. This is chicken stock. I also used a nice clam juice from the store as I had no fish stock on hand. Clam juice isn’t cheap hence the addition of the chicken. But 4-5 cups of clam juice would also be most excellent. At the end I took about a cup of the entire soup, including the scallops to the blender. Add this back in to thicken it up a bit.
Et bon voila. Scallop chowder. Fresh Scallop Chowder recipe is attached for more details. But please please remember to use YOUR taste buds. Add a little more of this or that. Make it your own.
Enjoy.
Tcshüß xx
One Year ago: Tarragon Chicken and Cranberry Salad– warning: photos of raw chicken carcuss!
Our furry family is finally able to rest peacefully side by side! But Toby keeps one eye open;)
Wendy's Place 
Shit happens, glad you knew what to do with the disaster *smile … when it happen on work, we had through everything away, but it was so much .. you did a good job of it. So you got another 4-legged family member or has Toby been around before Otis. Any seafood chowder will do me .. and I wouldn’t mine a big bowl or two tonight.
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Yes it does happen! We’ve had Toby about 6 years and he was getting jealous in many ways of Otis. Thought I better get a photo up of him:) He’s been very patient though.
I LOVE chowder. x
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You should leave the door open more often if this is what happens!
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Very good point. But the pressure was on!
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Oh man does that look incredible!!! I am dieting!! ): Your furry friends are adorable and don’t look very stressed out!!! 🙂
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We love the four ledgers! Bummer on the diet. Good luck with that. I’m flailing in that department.
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Yum! I will try this. Where do you get scallops in Hamburg? xo
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Jacobs Muschel at the Blankenese fischmarkt – one across from the square that was just remodeled. That’s where we went. Their Stremmel Lachs is to die for. Miss that.
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I’m not a great fan of clam chowder, but yours looks absolutely delicious 😉
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Thank you. You can also make it more or less chowdery:-) More on the stock- less on the dairy.
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What a wonderful looking soup based on that mishap – I want a bowl! 🙂
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Sometimes the accidents are the best. I don’t know if I would have made chowder with scallops otherwise because we love having the on their own. But it was about 2# worth- so it was a few fresh, some chowder on the table and some in the freezer!
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That chowder – sigh… I could easily inhale a bowl right now 🙂
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I have to say- it was really good with some crusty bread. Thanks for stopping by. cheers, wendy
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Beautiful soup. So….. who was the culprit???
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oh right. did i forget to mention that it was me? I had a big box of granola fixings and it lodged just enough in the door that it didn’t seal. Hubs saw it. I say better me than him or my daughter for that and better when it’s him who locks the keys in the car 🙂
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hee hee hee
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Aaarrggghhh, I hate when that happens! A few months ago, either me or the Husband left the freezer door slightly ajar (I like to think that the Husband did it) and everything was a warm, drippy mess. We had to quickly cook a lot of the meat we had. I wish I had the ingredients to make this amazing chowder – this looks fabulous!
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I mentioned it was kind of serendipity. I don’t know if I would have used these for chowder otherwise. Now I know it was such a treat and worth the price of fresh scallops.
And I was incredibly thankful the quarter of a cow we just ordered from a local farm hadn’t yet arrived!
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Funny title, and post premise Wendy! I have to say if that happens here, we will be having berries soup with year old cinnamon bun croutons. You wonder when I sleep – I wonder when you sleep!! I had a boutique once, and it’s a lot of work.
I’m thinking the Chez Chloe logo with your Twitter account is what your sign will look like? It’s lovely!
I can’t wait to see more shots of the shop! The shot of the pets is gorgeous! _ As usual, a very entertaining visit to one of my fav Blogs – Resa
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What a wonderful ending to a freezer disaster:D Love the photographs as well.. especially the one of little Toby 😀
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Thanks Smidge. Hope you are having a good spring and sorry I’m not your way more regularly. Not getting much blog time in these days. But I’m not going anywhere! Cheers xx
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I am absolutely making this chowder. I adore chowder and I adore scallops. I can’t think of a more delicious combination. And it includes bacon! Sorry about the freezer door ajar, but hey, we got a chowder recipe 🙂 Hugs!
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It was the best accident all year. Made enough to throw back in the freezer too. But a different one that is never left ajar… So we better remember its there!
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Oooo I love scallops and pork and soup. I’m going to cook this tomorrow!! Look at my scallop recipe 🙂 http://youngandhungryblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/scallops-chorizo-the-perfect-valentines-dinner/
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