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Bay Scallop and Corn Chowder

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on July 4, 2023

Time

50 Minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Bay Scallop and Corn Chowder

Ingredients

6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped1 pound leeks, white and light-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly1¼ teaspoons table salt, divided1 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme 1½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces2 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice 1½ cups water 3 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs and pulp scraped fromcobs and reserved1½ pounds small bay scallops, tendons removed1 cup heavy cream

Before You Begin

If you cannot find bay scallops, you can substitute 1½ pounds of sea scallops, quartered. Serve with oyster crackers and hot sauce.

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until fat is rendered and bacon is nearly crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Add leeks, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and thyme and cook until leeks are softened, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add potatoes and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is sticky from released starch, about 2 minutes. Add clam juice, water, and corn pulp and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
  3. Using slotted spoon, transfer 1 cup potatoes to bowl and mash with potato masher until smooth. Return mashed potatoes to pot. Sprinkle scallops with remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir scallops and corn kernels into pot and simmer until scallops are cooked through and corn is tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
Bay Scallop and Corn Chowder
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Joy Howard.

Bay Scallop and Corn Chowder

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Time

50 Minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 pound leeks, white and light-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
1¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
1½ cups water
3 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs and pulp scraped fromcobs and reserved
1½ pounds small bay scallops, tendons removed
1 cup heavy cream

Ingredients

6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 pound leeks, white and light-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
1¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
1½ cups water
3 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs and pulp scraped fromcobs and reserved
1½ pounds small bay scallops, tendons removed
1 cup heavy cream

Ingredients

6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 pound leeks, white and light-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
1¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
1½ cups water
3 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs and pulp scraped fromcobs and reserved
1½ pounds small bay scallops, tendons removed
1 cup heavy cream

Why This Recipe Works

Using the pulp scraped from fresh corn cobs added extra sweet-corn flavor while thickening the chowder.

Before You Begin

If you cannot find bay scallops, you can substitute 1½ pounds of sea scallops, quartered. Serve with oyster crackers and hot sauce.

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until fat is rendered and bacon is nearly crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Add leeks, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and thyme and cook until leeks are softened, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add potatoes and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is sticky from released starch, about 2 minutes. Add clam juice, water, and corn pulp and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
  3. Using slotted spoon, transfer 1 cup potatoes to bowl and mash with potato masher until smooth. Return mashed potatoes to pot. Sprinkle scallops with remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir scallops and corn kernels into pot and simmer until scallops are cooked through and corn is tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

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