Creamy Clam and White Bean Chowder
Recipe from Food & Wine

White beans substitute for the usual potatoes in this chowder, made with sweet butternut squash, briny littleneck clams, and smoky bacon. Rancho Gordo cellini beans give the soup a buttery richness, but Great Northern beans are terrific as well.


Creamy Clam and White Bean Chowder
Cedric Angeles

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Servings: 8
Prep Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
 
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Ingredients
  • 1 1/4  cups
    dried cellini or Great Northern beans, rinsed and picked over, then soaked for 2 hours
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  •  
    Kosher salt
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  • 1 1/4  pounds
    butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (2 cups)
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  • 1  tablespoon
    extra-virgin olive oil
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  •  
    Freshly ground pepper
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  • 36 
    littleneck clams, scrubbed
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  • thick slices of bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips (4 ounces)
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  • 2  tablespoons
    unsalted butter
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  • medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
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  • large celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch dice
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  • 1/4  teaspoon
    crushed red pepper
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  • large garlic cloves, minced
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  • 1 1/3  cups
    dry white wine
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  • 1  cup
    heavy cream
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Directions
1.
In a saucepan, cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 1 1/2 hours; add water as needed to keep the beans covered by 2 inches. Season the beans with salt and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain the beans, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.
2.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash with the oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, until browned.
3.
Set a colander over a bowl. In a skillet, cook the clams and 2 tablespoons of water over moderately high heat, covered, shaking the skillet a few times, until the clams open, 5 minutes. Transfer the opened clams to the colander; discard any that do not open. Remove the clams from their shells. Strain and reserve 1 cup of the clam broth.
4.
In a saucepan, brown the bacon over moderately low heat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the butter. Add the onion, celery, and crushed red pepper, cover and cook, stirring, until softened, 8 minutes. Add the garlic, cover and cook until fragrant, 4 minutes. Add the wine and boil until reduced by two-thirds, 6 minutes. Pour in the reserved clam broth, the reserved bean cooking liquid and the cream; simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, squash, and clams; simmer just until heated through. Serve the chowder in bowls.

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