In which we run away fast and bring treasure back with us to the Farm

Jim had a wedding gig booked for the ocean, and he invited me (and Foxie Loxie) along for the ride.   Oh, heck yes. 

On his second trip to the beach, Fox is much more confident about what to do there

Jim got dressed up and made sure the people got married

Yes, those chairs are too close together, also there were too many people and not enough masks

...and I ran away with my dog to the beach!

Recreating during a pandemic: these people are doing it correctly

We had perfect weather, and the water was lovely

Once your toes get numb, it feels great!

All the beach horses were content to nap in the sun...except one.  There's always one.

It was a quick trip--a little too quick.  We didn't have time for an important Ocean Vacation Tradition:

CLAM CHOWDER.

However, I am not without resources.

A quick detour was all I needed to get clams (I like oysters also, but this was a CLAM task)

When we got home, Jim got busy with the clams--in the smoker!

Razor clams smoked in apple wood

While the clams smoked, I prepped the vital accessory: 

Whole wheat sourdough bread with pepitas.  The recipe is HERE.

When the bread was done, so were the clams.  Time to make chowder, the Haiku Farm way:

All Smoke and No Fire Clam Chowder

Ingredients:

Broth - I made broth from a smoked chicken.  You can also use canned chicken or veggie broth, or water, or whatever you have.

Clams - I cut the smoked clams into little chunks with a pair of kitchen scissors.

Vegetables - I included corn, carrots, potatoes, an unripe butternut squash, celery, garlic, dill weed, and thyme.  Then I found some chanterelle mushrooms that Jim had cooked in the smoker, and dumped those in, too!  Use whatever you have handy--fresh vegetables are excellent, but canned or frozen will work.  

Bacon - if you have some.  I had no bacon!  Oh, well.

Cream/half-and-half.

 

"secret" ingredient:  butternut squash.  I didn't have any ripe butternuts,
so I put in a little unripe squash instead.

To make it:  

Put the broth (or water, or whatever) into a big pot or crock pot.  If you like thick, chewy chowder, don't put in much broth.  If you like soupy chowder, use more broth.

Dump in clams. 

Sautee the garlic (and onions if you have them, I didn't have any) with the carrots in some butter or bacon grease, and then add that.

Chop the vegetables the way you like them, and add them.  Add herbs now, or right before serving.

Turn the heat on low and walk away for at least an hour.  Stir it when you remember.

Twenty minutes or so before serving, add the cream/half-and-half, and allow to come up to temperature.  If you haven't put herbs in already, do it now.

Share with friends, served with fresh bread and butter.