Salmon Chowder was this evening's Soup of the Day. It took a day longer than expected to make/eat it because when we came home yesterday with salmon and potatoes (by the way, it's potatoes that differentiate chowder from soup) we realized we did not have any fish stock or other seafood stock. We didn't want chicken tasting soup (we have lots of chix and turkey stock) with fish in it. What to do? We made risotto with shrimp and before the risotto was even in the pan began to make seafood stock with the shrimp shells, which incidentally turned out to be luscious. It happened so quickly that there aren't even photos of stock making this time.
However, today was the day... and Ken made this chowder for our Saturday late afternoon meal. Ken gives it an A and I confer and give it an A also.
This chowder is not the least bit fishy (yes, fresh fish helps -- sniff it before you buy it); the taste is subtle yet rich; it's not a heavy cream soup.
Salmon Chowder
4 T butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 leek, finely chopped
1 small fennel bulb, finely chopped
1/4 c flour
7 Cups seafood/shrimp/fish stock
1 lb salmon filet, skinned and cut into cubes
3/4 C milk
1/2 C heavy cream
2 T chopped dill
salt and ground black pepper
Melt butter in large pan.
Add onion, leek and fennel and cook for 6 minutes until softened. (photo below)
Dice potatoes while the leeks, fennel, and onion softens.
Stir in flour. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Add stock. Season with salt and pepper.
Add potatoes, bring to a boil then immediately reduce temp to med and cook for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
Cube salmon.
Add cubed salmon and chopped fresh dill; Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes.
Stir in milk, cream and dill -- heat through completely, but do not boil.
Serve. No croutons, cheese, pancetta or other misc needed. A little extra dill on top would be sufficient.
Delicious. There's a little left over... I can't wait until late night snack time.
The little piece of the salmon on the left side of the photo is the fish for the kids -- they don't know what they're missing!
