On today's episode I would like to show you how I completely fucked up what could have been a perfectly rich Haddock ChoWda. It could not be any easier. But of course. I will also have a fix.
Let's get started with your shopping list.
2 pounds of haddock fillets (unless you are cooking for a fucking fishing crew get more)
1 can or 2 of the small cans of UNSWEETENED condensed milk!!
1 quart of whole milk
2 pounds of fish heads or better yet shrimp heads...any thing with the brains still in them...or just buy some pre-made fish stock.
1 stick of butter
1/2 pound of slab bacon DICED (it is easy to get now...if you can't get it just get the thickest you can find dice it up...just make sure knife is sharp as shit)
1-2 Sweet Onions...I always try to use Vadalia...if they are in season. If they are not I use a red onion to make it pretty!
Some Fresh Corn as much as you like to add...I prefer a bit more rather then less....
A bag of those cute little baby Yukon potatoes.
I think that is every thing. For now. The basics you should already have in your pantry.
ChoWda is indeed something I enjoy making on rainy days...especially if I had to be wet as
a result of it. You know, one of those days when you walk in the door and you are drenched.
How about a fucking choWda!
First...I know not everyone has direct access to fish heads like I do. But if you can get them...get them...the boiled brains make a very rich stock. And that is how you want to get it started. I usually throw the heads in with a cup of brandy...or water if no brandy on hand. An you want to boil these mother fucker's till they practically melt. Use a stock pot. Keep adding fluid. And reducing it. Do this for as much as you have time or patience for. I have done it for an entire day a few times and the results where priceless. OF COURSE the key is getting it drained. Use the most micro strainer you can find.
Or just bring your store bought fish stock to a boil...you can achieve the same sort of richness by buying a few containers and continue reducing it and adding more. Once it is drained and reduced you can add the haddock. I cut it in 1" chunks.
Meanwhile in the actual soup pot. You are browning your bacon. And yes a separate pot. Reason being is I usually like to make enough choWDa to freeze. But, in my experience you can not freeze a choWDa that has all the ingredient's combined with the protein. Now I do not know this to be a fact. If you are actually a certified cook and you know other wise well then do as you please. OR If you plan on stuffing yourself in one sitting then by all means use one pot. I prefer to mix the fish cooked in the stock and the chowder parts just before serving and the same for freezing them. Separate!
Once the bacon is browned add the onions. I do not dice them I like to sliver them. I like slivers of onions in my choWda. Cut them how you want. Then you can start to add the liquids (less the stock if you do it my way) ...once the onions start to appear clear. And don't curdle the fucking milk...let it all cool off a bit before you go throwing in milks and such. Let it all slowly come to a boil.
Your corn and potatoes have been what??? Whats the only way I make corn???? HMMM?
ROAST!!! You roast the ears of corn and the potatoes. Just roast them with a drizzle of oil and Sea salt and pepper. Don't ever fucking serve me ears of corn boiled in water. I will kick you in the chin. So, once they are done roasting you can shave your corn. I usually cut the baby Yukon's in half depending on how small they are and then add them to your choWda.
Serve with driblets of melted butter.
Ok so how did I fuck this up????? I bought sweetened condensed milk. Yep. It tasted like fucking Fish Cereal. It reminded me of the 'rice pudding' my mother used to make me as a kid.
It was rice and and a can of SWEETENED condensed milk. She used to serve it for breakfast and call it rice pudding. It wasn't bad. But with fish it was a fucking disaster.
How did I save it?????? PFFT....Well I was saved because I kept the protein liquid separate. SO!
I roasted more corn....piled it up with corn and potatoes....Added about a 1/4 cup of instant mashed potato flakes to thicken it and changed the name to Roasted Corn and Baked Potato ChoWda!!!!
How about that Bitches....2 great recipes in one great show!!!
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