Red Clam Chowder

Serves 4

• 2 tablespoons butter or oil
• 1 cup (4 ounces) leeks, small dice
• 1 cup (4 ounces) fennel, small dice
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces sweet potato, small dice
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 red bell pepper, roasted
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato puree
• 4 cups (32 fluid ounces) low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 (6.5-ounce) cans clams in clam juice
• 12 small clams in shell, cleaned and soaked in salt water
• Additional salt and pepper as needed
• Fennel fronds, for garnish

Preheat a stockpot over moderate heat. Add oil to the pot, then toss leeks, fennel, garlic, and sweet potato in oil to coat. Season with black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning, cooking to soften and brown slightly.
Using a blender, puree the roasted red bell pepper with the tomato puree. Add bell pepper and tomato puree to the pot to deglaze. Bring to a simmer and allow it to reduce and darken slightly before adding the stock. Over the stock pot, strain off the juice from the canned clams, combining it with the red pepper and tomato puree. Retain the clams for later use. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Continue to cook uncovered until the potato is fully cooked. Add the clams in shell to the pot and cook until the clams open on their own. Remove from heat and stir in the retained clams from the can.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh fennel fronds, and serve hot.
RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPH BY KRISTEL MATOUSEK
WWW.PHOTORICALFOOD.COM