Tag warming fall

NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

Each year on February 25th people across the nation have a bowl and spoon ready to be filled with clam chowder as they prepare to participate in National Clam Chowder Day.

A clam chowder in its simplest form is a soup or stew containing clams or fish. The most common type of chowder includes milk or cream as well as potatoes, though the Manhattan clam chowder has tomatoes.

The origin of the word “chowder” is up for a little bit of debate.  The French word for cauldron is “chaudiere.”  The English word “jowter” means fish peddler.  Both are on the hook for possible origins.

 In chowder, along with the clams, it is common to find diced potatoes, onions (often sautéed with pork or bacon drippings) and celery. Try pan frying diced spam and mushrooms, caramelized onions are a good touch too.  I add browned tofu in place of potatoes with extra mushrooms to make it keto friendly.

Following is a list of the basic clam chowder variants:

  • New England clam chowder
  • Manhattan clam chowder
  • Rhode Island clam chowder
  • Delaware clam chowder
  • New Jersey clam chowder
  • Hatteras clam chowder
  • Minorcan clam chowder
  • Long Island clam chowder
  • Puget Sound clam chowder

If you enjoy Clam Chowder be sure to enjoy these soups as well. National Vichyssoise Day, National Gazpacho Day, National Seafood Bisque Day, National Gumbo Day, National Turkey Neck Soup Day, National Soup it Forward Day, National Clam Chowder Day, Homemade Soup Day, National Pepper Pot Day, National Soup Month, National Menudo Month, National Slow Cooking Month, Chicken Noodle, Minestrone, Vegetable Beef, Jen’s Loaded Potato, Jen’s Easy Chili, White Chiken Chili, Beef stew, Pho, New England Clam chowder, Lobster Bisque, Split Pea Soup, National Eat Your Bean Day, Homemade Chicken Noodle, Tuscan Sausage Tortellini, Grown Up Ramen, French Onion, and Creamy Cauliflower Soup.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalClamChowderDay

Make your region’s best clam chowder. Better yet, have a clam chowder taste-off! Invite friends and family to cook up a variety of chowders from all over the country and try them all. Let us know which one you liked best. Maybe you’ll find a new appreciation for chowders.

My Easy Slow Cooker New England Style Calm Chowder. I changed the recipe to make it more low carb friendly.

Use #NationalClamChowderDay to post on social media.

Campbell’s Chunky Soup, New England Clam Chowder
Progresso Rich & Hearty, New England Clam Chowder Soup#NationalClamChowderDay
Progresso Rich & Hearty, New England Clam Chowder Soup
Campbell's Chunky Soup, Manhattan Clam Chowder#NationalClamChowderDay
Campbell’s Chunky Soup, Manhattan Clam Chowder
Snow's Condensed New England Clam Chowder, 15 oz Can (Pack of 12) - 4g Protein per Serving - Authentic New England Style Recipe #NationalClamChowderDay
Snow’s Condensed New England Clam Chowder, 15 oz Can (Pack of 12) – 4g Protein per Serving – Authentic New England Style Recipe

New Englad Calm Chowder

Jensperspectiveblog

I love this creamy soup. So I decided that it was time to make it both in the crockpot, and more like grandma used to make. I also needed it to be more low-carb friendly. So here is the recipe I made with rave reviews. ( My husband makes the “that’s disgusting face” when I talk about making it.) He is now a convert too!

Ingredients

  • 3 – 13 oz cans of minced clams
  • 1 – 12oz can of Evaporated milk
  • 2 – 10.5 oz cans of cream of mushroom soup.  Low sodium if you can find it.
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 stalks finely minced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cups diced Yukon Gold potatoes and /or keto options
  • 1 – 14oz pkg extra firm tofu cut into 1/4″ cubes sautéed (keto)
  • 1- 12oz Spam diced and sautéed till golden brown (keto)
  • 1 – 16 oz pkg fresh mushrooms sliced
  • 1/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp chopped parsley
  • 6 slices crispy cooked bacon crumbled to sprinkle on top
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesean cheese
  • 1/8 cup sharp cheddar shredded for topping

Directions

Drain clams juice into lined crockpot.

Refrigerate clams until later.

Combine Evaporated milk, Cream soups, butter and celery, onions, black pepper, potatoes, and bay leaf.

Cover and cook on low at least 4 hours.

30 minutes before serving add clams and 1/4″ cubes of extra firm tofu, and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Stir well to combine without breaking tofu.

Remove Bay leaf, serve warm with crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar as topping. (You can add finely chopped green onions if desired.)