Clam and Cod Chowder
Ingredients: Serves 8
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1½ pounds small Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, halved, quartered if large
2 large leeks, white and pale-green parts only, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 sprigs thyme, plus leaves for serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
⅓ cup dry white wine
4 cups fish stock or bottled clam juice
2 cups heavy cream
4 pounds littleneck clams, scrubbed
2 pounds skinless cod or haddock, cut into large pieces
Preparation
Heat oil and butter in a large heavy pot over medium. Add potatoes, leeks, celery, and thyme sprigs; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are tender, about 5 minutes. Add wine, bring to a boil, and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add stock and cream, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a gentle simmer (if using clam juice, taste before adding salt, it’s very briny). Cook until potatoes are starting to fall apart (their starch will help give body to the soup), 50–60 minutes.
Add clams to pot and stir to coat. Cover and simmer until clams are just beginning to open, 10–12 minutes. Season cod with salt and pepper and add to pot. Reduce heat to low and cover. Let fish gently poach until cooked through, about 5 minutes (simmering too hard can make fish tough). Season with salt and pepper, if needed, and serve topped with thyme leaves, with hot sauce and lemon wedges.