fish chowder

Fish chowder is a hearty and comforting soup. Here's a basic recipe:

Ingredients:

- Fish fillets (cod, haddock, or any white fish), cut into bite-sized pieces

- Bacon, chopped (about 4-6 slices)

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 2 celery stalks, diced

- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 4 cups fish or vegetable broth

- 1 bay leaf

- 1 teaspoon dried thyme

- 1 cup heavy cream

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. **Cook Bacon:**

   - In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Remove excess fat, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons in the pot.

2. **Sauté Vegetables:**

   - Add chopped onions, diced celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.

3. **Add Potatoes and Broth:**

   - Add diced potatoes, fish or vegetable broth, bay leaf, and dried thyme to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender.

4. **Add Fish:**

   - Gently add the fish fillet pieces to the pot and simmer until the fish is cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the fish; it should be flaky but not mushy.

5. **Add Cream:**

   - Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.

6. **Season:**

   - Season the chowder with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

7. **Serve:**

   - Discard the bay leaf and ladle the fish chowder into bowls.

   - Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Fish chowder is delicious served with crusty bread or oyster crackers. It's a comforting dish with a rich and creamy broth. Ready to enjoy a warm bowl of chowder?