Fish Chowder
Creamy and filling. A nice way to warm up (with bacon) on a cold day.
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 pounds halibut fillets or other firm white fish, skinned
- 3 slices bacon, uncooked
- 3 1/2 cups cubed peeled baking potato
- 1 1/2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large)
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped carrot (about 1 medium)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
- Bring 4 1/2 cups water and bay leaves to a simmer in a large skillet. Add fish; cover and simmer 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Remove fish from pan with a slotted spoon. Cut fish into large pieces. Reserve 2 1/2 cups cooking liquid and bay leaves.
- Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings in pan; crumble bacon, and set aside. Add potato, onion, and carrot to pan; cook over medium heat 10 minutes. Add reserved cooking liquid, bay leaves, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Add milk and butter; simmer 25 minutes until potatoes are tender (do not boil). Stir in fish, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Discard bay leaves. Sprinkle with bacon.
- Try using mashed potatoes (or mashing the potatoes when cooked), to make a thicker soup. (Aug 23, 2018)