What Makes a Great Clam Chowder?
Served as a precursor to a big seafood dinner or as a meal unto itself, clam chowder is a warm and filling comfort food. Considering the number of ingredients involved—fresh clams, potatoes, vegetables and herbs, to name a few—using canned clam chowder will allow you more preparation time for the rest of your feast. Make a pot of steaming clam chowder for those brisk winter and autumn evenings, for potlucks or family gatherings. With a loaf of sourdough bread on the side, it makes for a hearty and appetizing lunch. Our chefs define high-quality canned New England clam chowder as appearing creamy with an off-white color. It should not have a gray, old or oxidized appearance. The chowder should be perfectly blended and emulsified, not broken or separated, and there should be visible chunks of clams and vegetables. Aroma off notes that come from poor preparation or packaging should not be detected. Clam chowder is in taste balance when a bold level of saltiness is the leading basic taste.
