A steamy bowl of delicious fish chowder is a comforting warm-up for a cold winter day. Tender white fish combined with vegetables, broth and seasonings makes a delicious dinner.
1 1/2cupsyellow oniondiced (approximately one large yellow onion)
2poundsred potatoesquartered and diced into 1-inch cubes
32ouncesseafood stock
32ounceswater
2bay leaves
2-3poundsfrozen white fish
1/2cupunsalted butter
1/2cupall-purpose flour
12ouncecan evaporated milk
2teaspoonssalt
2teaspoonswhite pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large stock pot. As the olive oil starts to shine, add in the carrots, celery, and onions. You should hear a sizzle indicating the oil is up to temperature.
Use a wooden spoon to stir the vegetables in the olive oil every minute or so. Allow the vegetables to saute without browning, until the onions start to become soft and translucent. The carrots and celery will still be more on the vibrant and stiff side. This should take about 10 minutes.
Add the potatoes to the pot and give a good stir. Allow them to mingle for just two minutes before adding in the liquid (stock and water).
Add the bay leaves on top. Cover and increase the heat to high, bringing the pot to a boil. Boil until potatoes are just fork tender. You do not want the potatoes to become mushy. This will take about 20-30 minutes.
Once the potatoes have become tender, bring the heat down to low. Add the chopped fish. Stir so all fish cooks evenly and has been covered by the stock.
Meanwhile, make the roux. Melt the butter in a 10 inch skillet.
Dust in the flour and whisk to combine and cook out the rawness of the flour.
As the mixture bubbles, slowly pour in the evaporated milk in 3 steps, whisking and allowing the mixture to thicken between each. It should have the consistency of a loose cake batter.
Add the salt and pepper to the roux giving a final stir.
Add the roux to the simmering stock pot and stir well. This will help to thicken the soup into a chowder and give a creamy texture.
Notes
Instead of flour, can also use corn starch or add heavy cream instead of evaporated milk for a silkier texture.
Total you need about 8 cups of liquid to boil the vegetables. I used half seafood stock and half water to achieve this. I’ve found that using seafood stock for all 8 cups (depending on the seafood stock) can be over-powering in the flavor. To let the fish really shine and still taste the flavors your vegetables lend, I would suggest a 1:1 ratio of seafood stock to water, and no more than 6 cups seafood stock with 2 cups water.
Pollock is pictured but you can use just about any fish. You can use fresh fish as well; it will just cook more quickly. However, you’re adding it at the end so it really will not make a huge difference. You can use a combination of frozen fish too. Whatever white fish is on sale. Pollock, cod, tilapia, etc.
You can use black pepper, white pepper is just more subtle in flavor and is good for using on delicate flavors such as fish.