B4U Recipes - New England Cod Chowder

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New England Cod Chowder

4 slices bacon
3 medium carrots, each cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into slices
3 celery ribs, diced (or 1 large fennel bulb, diced)
1 medium onion, diced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into1/2-inch cubes (1 pound)
3 (8 ounce) bottles clam juice
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth (or 1 3/4 cups homemade chicken broth)
1 bay leaf
1 (1 lb) cod fish fillets, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup half-and-half or light cream

Directions ::..

1. In a 5-quart Dutch oven or saucepot, cook bacon over medium heat until browned. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain; crumble.

2. Discard all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat in Dutch oven. Add carrots, celery (or fennel), and onion, and cook until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes, clam juice, chicken broth, and bay leaf; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.

3. Add cod; cook, covered, 2 to 5 minutes until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Carefully stir in half-and-half; heat through. Discard bay leaf. Serve soup with crumbled bacon.