Smoked-Fish Chowder
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 4 oz. bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium leek, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 lb. small red potatoes, scrubbed, quartered
- 4 cups
- 1 lb. hot-smoked trout, skin removed, flesh broken into small pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
- Trout roe (for serving; optional)
- Heat butter in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-low. Add bacon and cook, stirring often, until brown and crisp, 8-10 minutes. Increase heat to medium and add onion, leek, celery, and bay leaves; cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and softened, 8-10 minutes.
- Add potatoes and clam juice to pot; season lightly with salt and generously with pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes. For a thicker texture, smash several pieces of potato against the sides of the pot. Add trout and buttermilk and simmer about 5 minutes (to give flavors time to blend together). Taste and season with more salt and pepper as desired. Remove from heat and stir in cream.
- Ladle chowder into bowls, top with trout roe, if desired, and season with coarsely ground pepper.
- Chowder can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat gently over low before serving.
unsalted butter, bacon, onion, crosswise, celery stalks, bay leaves, red potatoes, trout, buttermilk, heavy cream, kosher salt, trout
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/smoked-fish-chowder (may not work)