This hearty and delicious fish chowder is an easy-to-make crowd pleaser. Perfect for winter gatherings!
My continued thanks to Aneto Natural for their ongoing sponsorship and for providing the fish broth used to make this Fish Chowder.
Hearty Fish Chowder
Chowder is such a wonderful and comforting dish during the colder months and a wonderfully unexpected addition to a holiday gathering menu. Much like chili, chowder has a stick-to-your-ribs heartiness that really leaves guests feeling satisfied. Clam and seafood chowder (my recipe is sooo good) are always popular choices, but I find this fish version to be a particularly great choice for crowds (and seafood-averse kids!) because it calls for cod, which has a mild flavor, pleasing texture and its affordable too.
Raise the Bar
This Fish Chowder is also a fun recipe to serve to a crowd because it makes a fun, interactive addition to the buffet table. When making this for a crowd, I love to set up a big hot pot of the chowder alongside a serving bar with lots of toppings. Fish Chowder pairs beautifully with a variety of toppings –crumbled bacon, chopped chives, oyster crackers — you can even hollow out sourdough rolls to make mini bread bowls!
All About the Broth
Chowder is a fairly simple dish — little more than potatoes, onions, broth, fish and a touch of cream. As such, each ingredient needs to be top-quality, starting with the broth. Fish broth may not be something you buy on a regular basis, but when you do, its really important to choose the best one. I love all natural Aneto Fish broth, which is made with fresh vegetables and real cod and monkfish — and nothing else.. I’ve been working with Aneto for almost a year now and I have say that their fish broth is one of my favorite products. Like all their broths, this one has no fillers or preservatives, so you know your chowder will have the best flavor possible. You can purchase all of Aneto’s broths easily via Amazon. They’re a bit more expensive than the broths you find at the supermarket but the quality of their product is really second to none. If you’re planning a party and serving something using Fish Broth, this one is definitely worth the splurge.
Of course, this recipe doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions. Its easy enough to whip up for family meals, especially on snowy winter nights. Pair it with a green salad and a crackling fire and settle in for winter.
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PrintHearty Fish Chowder
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Soups and Stews
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty and delicious fish chowder is an easy-to-make crowd pleaser. Perfect for winter gatherings!
Ingredients
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4 slices bacon, chopped
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1 large onion, finely chopped
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4 celery stalks with leaves, finely chopped
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Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
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3 large Yukon Gold potatoes (about 1.5 lb.), peeled, cut into 1/2″ pieces
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4 cups best-quality fish broth, such as Aneto Fish Broth
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1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
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1 pounds skinless cod, haddock, or pollock fillets, cut into 2″ pieces
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1/4 cup half-and-half
- Optional Garnishes: chopped parsley, chopped chives, extra bacon bits, oyster crackers
Instructions
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Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat, stirring often, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels.
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Add butter, onion, and celery to drippings in pot; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion and celery are soft, 5–8 minutes.
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Add potatoes, fish broth and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 10–15 minutes.
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Season fish with salt and pepper and place on top of potatoes. Cover pot and cook (liquid should be barely simmering at this point) until fish is opaque throughout, 5–7 minutes (thicker pieces will take longer to cook). Add half-and-half and return to a simmer (at this point, fish will break into smaller pieces); season with salt and pepper just before serving.
- Garnish each bowl with bacon bits and fresh herbs if desired. Serve with warm bread, sourdough rolls or oyster crackers if desired.
Notes
Chowder can be made up to 2 days in advance.
Keywords: Chowder, Soup, Meals for a Crowd, Holiday Food
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