Description
A rich and hearty seafood chowder loaded with tender fish, shrimp, and shellfish in a creamy, flavorful broth. This creamy seafood chowder combines a variety of seafood with tender potatoes, all simmered in a luscious, smooth base for a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 1 lb mixed seafood (fish, shrimp, scallops)
Vegetables
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
Dairy
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Liquids & Others
- 2 cups seafood stock
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Create the roux: Stir in the flour and cook it for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste and form a roux slightly thickening the chowder base.
- Add the seafood stock: Gradually whisk in the seafood stock to the roux until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, creating a creamy broth base.
- Cook the potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the pot, bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook until the potatoes are tender, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Add dairy and seasoning: Stir in the milk, heavy cream, and paprika to enrich the chowder, stirring carefully to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook the seafood: Add the mixed seafood to the simmering chowder and cook gently until the seafood is just cooked through, about 3-5 minutes, taking care not to overcook to prevent toughness.
- Season and serve: Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the chowder warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for extra freshness.
Notes
- Use a combination of fish, shrimp, and shellfish for the best flavor and texture in the chowder.
- Do not overcook the seafood as it can become tough and rubbery; remove from heat as soon as it is opaque and firm.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for thickening soups.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives to enhance aroma and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
