Curry Coconut Clam Chowder, Papi Style
One of Choi’s first chef jobs was at an L.A. country club where he made New England clam chowder every Friday.
Ingredients
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1 small baking potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
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4 ounces pancetta or bacon, finely chopped
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1 tablespoon minced fennel
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2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
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2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste
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1/2 cup dry white wine
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1 (13-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
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1/4 cup fresh lime juice
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2 dozen Manila or littleneck clams
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3 cups chopped clams with their juices
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Kosher salt
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Freshly ground pepper
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Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
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Thai basil and rau ram (Vietnamese coriander), for garnish
Direction
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Cook the potato in a medium saucepan of salted boiling water just until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain.
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In a large saucepan, cook the pancetta over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until light golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the fennel, garlic and green curry paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and lime juice and return to a simmer. Add the potato, Manila clams and the chopped clams and their juices. Cover and cook until the Manila clams open, 5 to 7 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Season the chowder with salt and pepper. Garnish with cilantro, basil and rau ram and serve warm.
