Manhattan clam chowder a tasty, low-carb altenative to traditional chowder

By Capt. Andy Martin – Growing up on the Oregon Coast, traditional New England clam chowder, and other seafood dishes, were readily available. We ate seafood several times a week. A dish my family never enjoyed is Manhattan clam chowder. The thought of a tomato-based clam chowder just wasn’t appealing.

I first made Manhattan clam chowder a few years ago while looking for a keto-friendly, low-carb version of clam chowder. The results were surprising. Manhattan clam chowder is delicious, easy to make, and much lower in carbs than cream- and potato-based chowders. The following recipe is more of a traditional Manhattan clam chowder – to reduce carbs, simply reduce or eliminate the potatoes, use less onion and forgo the carrots. Zucchini may also be substituted for potatoes.

Ingredients

4-6 slices bacon

1 small onion, diced

1-2 carrots, chopped

2-4 medium potatoes, diced

2 garlic cloves, chopped, or 2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/2 cup white wine

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 bay leaves

2 cans (14.5 ounce each) chicken broth

2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes

1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice

2 cans (6.5 ounces each) diced clams

1 can (6.5 ounces) minced clams

1 cube (8 tablespoons) butter

1/3 cub fresh parsley, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Heat a large soup pot over medium heat, add a small amount of oil, and cook bacon. While bacon is cooking, chop the potatoes, onion, celery, garlic and carrots.

Remove cooked bacon. Lower heat to medium low and add potatoes, onion, carrots, garlic and celery to bacon grease. Chop bacon and add it to the vegetables. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the wine, cover with lid, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves and thyme.

Add tomatoes with liquid, chicken broth and clam juice. Heat to a boil at medium high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Return heat to medium high, add clams with juice, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer again, add stick of butter. Season with salt and pepper. Once butter is melted, stir in parsley. Serve.

(Capt. Andy Martin owns and operates Brookings Fishing Charters. When he is not running charters aboard the Nauti-Lady, Miss Brooke or Kraken, he enjoys cooking).