Saturday, September 26, 2009

Salmon Chowder - San Juan Islands Sunset - Pink Saturday


Sunset on the San Juan Islands as seen from the shore of Puget Sound in Bellingham, Washington.



Ahoy, me hearties! Beware. This simple soup is a gift from Scandinavian immigrants who settled in the Pacific Northwest. This chowder, or a version of it, came with them. Fortunately, their recipes were passed on to us. This recipe utilizes a handful of ingredients to make an amazingly flavorful soup. It begins with a fish stock. I make mine from shrimp shells, the recipe for which can be found following the chowder recipe. It's simple to do, but if that seems too much work, dilute 1-1/2 cups bottled clam juice with 2 cups of water and proceed with the recipe. Once all the vegetables have been chopped, the soup will be table ready in 30 minutes. This is typical of the soups that are made on the San Juan islands. Easy, fast and flavorful. If you have an aversion to cream, replace it with half and half or whole milk. It will lack the richness of the real thing, but the chowder will still be delicious. I really hope you'll try this one. It's delicious and hearty enough to serve as a main course.

Salmon Chowder...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
5 large boiling potatoes
4 cups fish stock
1 pound salmon, skinned and cut in 1/2-inch dice
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill or parsley (optional)

Directions:
1) Melt butter in a 5 to 6-quart stock pot. Add onions and saute until soft. Stir in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add potatoes and fish stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover pot and simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
2) Add the salmon and cook for 2 minutes longer. Add cream, wine, and salt and pepper
to taste. Simmer until just heated through. If using, stir in dill or parsley. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

To make fish stock from shrimp shells: Place fresh or frozen shells from 2 to 3 pounds shrimp in a large pot. Add 10 cups water and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 5 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to surface. Strain through a fine sieve and set aside. Stock may be frozen.

They post is being linked to Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

59 comments :

CC said...

What a sunset..simply breathtaking and gorgeous. Happy Pinks.. have a most lovely weekend.

Regina said...

What a lovely sunset. Love the chowder perfect for rainy days.
Happy Pink Saturday.

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

What a beautiful sunset. That chowder is simple and elegant.

Pauline said...

I love your photos. They are always so scenic and gorgeous. Washington looks like a wonderful place to live in. If it isn't very cold, I should move up there!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Not sure which is more gorgeous--the chowder or the sunset! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hello Mary,

This is just perfect. It's been raining so hard lately - I think another typhoon. Yup, just perfect.
Happy Pink Saturday!

Mizpah,
Li

figtree said...

The chowder looks delicious..it will be on my list to try!Figtreeapps

Martha said...

What a beautiful sunset . . .

The chowder looks yummy and I've never made one -- may have to remedy that this fall!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I love the sunset - absolutely gorgeous. And the salmon chowder looks so good. This is a great pink Saturday. Enjoy your weekend.
Sam

susan said...

Mary-I thought I left this comment yesterday, but I did not see it. I saw your header over at Maria's Colour Me Happy. Congrats and I agree with her. You are single handedly filling up my recipe file--can't wait to try the cupcakes! Thanks again!

Carol at Serendipity said...

Beautiful sky and beautiful soup. Happy Pink Saturday!

Carol

Selba said...

Love the sunset picture.

A simple soup but I believe it tasted wonderful :)

Happy weekend, Mary!

♥ Liz ♥ said...

Fabulous sunset. Happy Pink Saturday. Have a great weekend. :)

Claudia said...

The sunset is gorgeous! Happy Pink Saturday!

Miss Red said...

oohh yum! i'm a big fan of clam chowder, but i have never tried salmon. thanks for sharing!

Happily Retired Gal said...

Ohmygosh ... the view is spectacular and your chowder is one methinks I might actually take time to cook. Thanks so much and have a lovely weekend. I missed Beverly's deadline so I'm not on the 'official list' but I did share PINK today for the third time.
Hugs and blessings,

Beansieleigh said...

Oh Mary, this chowder looks WONDERFUL! I'd love to try this recipe out! Thank you for sharing it! Happy Pink Saturday, and hope you have a wonderful weekend! ~tina

Gee said...

hi mary,

happy pink saturday. Great posting.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Mary,
What a divine sunset! That chowder looks delicious! Thanks for stopping by and Happy Pink Saturday.

Blessings,
Sandi

emiglia said...

Looks delicious! I love the pink color against the white soup.

fairiemoon said...

Your soup looks absolutely yummy!

Happy PINK Saturday!
Erin :)

http://www.fairiemoon.typepad.com

Unknown said...

I totally forgot about the sunset,after seeing that recipe!
Gonna try it.

From the Old InkWell said...

mmmmmm..this one looks yummy. I love salmon!

Char said...

Wow, that sunset is so pretty, I lived in Bothell for two years back in the early 80's and loved it. Washington is a gorgeous state. The chowder looks do good, will give it a try, thankyou so much Mary, Happy Pink Saturday girlfriend, Char

Just Me said...

Mmm! I can smell the chowder cooking right now! Beautiful sunset. Thanks for sharing and coming by and visiting me. I always appreciate your thoughts and visits.
Hugs and glitter,
Patti

bj said...

O, dear Mary...now I love you..and I love most of your recipes but...you lost moi at "fish stock". Whew...I've never, in my life, heard of it. And, I will say right up front, I don't care for fish. So this is one recipe I will let others enjoy and I'll make another of your great recipes..:)
hugs, bj

Ivy Lane said...

Mary, Thank you for sharing such a beautiful "PINK" sunset! It takes my breath away! And ... I am definitely going to try your salmon chowder recipe...cream and all! looks deeelish!

Anonymous said...

OMG!...chowder and sunsets..wow!
Both delicious, Mary!
thank you so much...expect i'll be running to the seafood mkt in a few! I'm in the mood for a good chowder!
Great PS post.
thanks for stopping by!
gypsy

Tara said...

You always have the most beautiful picture to go with your yummy recipes. This one sounds very good. I don't care for clam chowder, not liking clams very much, but I do love salmon. Happy Pink Saturday and thanks for another delicious recipe!

Sonia said...

Mary,
Beautiful sunset!
Thank you visiting me and your sweet comments! I just love that I have found your blog with soooo many wonderful recipes..we are salmon lovers and I can't wait to try your salmon chowder! We love chowders too..I never considered combining them! Your blog is beautiful and I'm a new follower! Thanks again and Happy Pink Saturday! Sonia/Miss Bloomers

Catharina Maria said...

What a lovely sunset and all your recipes are yummy !
Your blog is great !
Love Rini

Sarah said...

Mary, this is a beautiful sunset. I feel as if I'm right there on the shore of the San Juan Islands. I love that part of our country. And the clam chowder looks yummy. What a perfect combination. Thanks for the visit to Hyacinths. If you have time stop by my Pink Saturday post on the QCI. I am spotlighting some unusual Quimper pottery. ~ Sarah

Karen said...

The chowder looks so rich and creamy. Can't wait for cold weather so we can eat some soup!

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

What memories your picture brought back! My aunt and uncle used to live in Bellingham many moons ago!!

And I love salmon and I love chowder! I will have to try this recipe!

Happy Pink Saturday!

Hugs,
Marsha

ROTFL my word verification is o u pig ROTFL (I love to eat, ha ha ha)

xinex said...

I don't know why I cannot see the picture but the recipe sounds good, Mary! I hope you are having a nice weekend!...Christine

Vicki said...

Hi, Mary,
That sunset is breathtaking and the salmon chowder is making my mouth water. It looks so delicious. You always have something wonderful to share with us. Happy Pink Saturday to you and thank you for stopping by Bunny Cottage for a visit. Vicki

Anonymous said...

Oh yum I love this recipe..salmon is strong to me so this is perfect!

LaVerne said...

Thanks for visiting on Pink Saturday...the sunset picture is so beautiful and the chowder sounds even better...it's still pretty warm here in Texas so the chowder recipe will go into the "Try This" file until cooler days...Have a Pink Week from start to finish. LaVerne in Texas

Anonymous said...

what an incredible sunset such a beautiful view happy pink saturday

Gabriela said...

Happy Pink Saturday!

Beautiful sunset!



~ Gabriela ~

Leslie said...

The sunset is gorgeous and the soup makes me hungry...good thing it's almost dinner time! Hugs, Leslie

Susie Jefferson said...

What a colour that sunset is - perfectly glorious. And the salmon matches! You have a perfect eye for colour as well as a perfect palate.

Glad you like the blinkie - it was fun. I'll have to try and do something imaginative with a tomato or something, lol. Happy Pink Saturday, sweetie!

NKP said...

What a lovely chowder! I would never have thought to use salmon.
I have just recently started making my own shrimp stock - by just tossing the shells in the small slow cooker when I peel the shrimp. I love getting a second purpose out of an ingredient!

Nancy said...

Thank you for the recipe. On a side note, I went to get pumpkin for the cupcake recipe and two stores told me there is a shortage! I did finally find it and bought four cans. The happy ending will be my cupcake baking tomorrow morning.

Happy Pink Saturday!

LV said...

I will be over in a minute to join for another great meal. The picture you made is truly breathtaking.

Abatevintage said...

OH Mary what a beautiful pink Saturday post, I love the San Juan picture and the chowder looked so yummy. Bless you dear, and a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,
Heidi

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Gorgeous sunset! I never had salmon chowder ...I've only had clam chowder... it sounds deliciou and easy to make!

Happy Pink Saturday!

GwendolynKay said...

mmmmmmmm! looking at your blog is making me hungry. Blessings!

Unknown said...

Mary, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your kind comments!

Oh my that chowder looks beautiful and very hearty! You know I love salmon! I have the ingredients on my grocery list to give this soup a try this week.

Thanks for sharing and Happy Pink Saturday!

Blessings,
Teresa

Becs said...

Happy Pink Saturday. I just looking at all your yummy recipes. Becs

Tammi said...

What a beautiful photo! It is worthy of framing in my opinion!

Thanks for visiting and happy pink Saturday to you!

P.S. can't wait to try your guacamole recipe! Sounds great!

Unknown said...

Hi Mary,

I don't like clam chowder but my mouth is watering just looking at your photos! I am in Lynnwood, WA so we are practically neighbors!

Beautiful sunset. Have a magnificent day and happy bleated Pink Saturday!

Cheers! =D
~Kitty Kellie

Ruth said...

Beautiful sunset. Thanks for stopping by and hope you had a good Pink Saturday.

Terri said...

What a beautiful sunset! The chowder looks yummy too! Hope you had a great Pink Saturday.

Elena said...

Oh, sunsets are my favourite - I know I've said this before. Your photo shows a beaustiful one.

Have a great week.
ciao for now,
Elena :)

Beverly said...

Mary, this looks and sounds delicious, and I will definitely prepare it. My husband loves seafood chowders.

I make my stock with shrimp shells, too. It makes the best stock for my shrimp and grits.

Now, I am going to be sitting here thinking of food the rest of the afternoon. ;-) Please push one of those pumpkin cupcakes through the monitor.

Happy Pink Saturday. That San Juan sunset takes my breath away.

Katy ~ said...

Mary, even though we do not eat salmon, your chowder looks superb, and I would enjoy a sip as it looks so good.

And of course, your photograph is captivating.

Lori said...

hmmm. very inviting. The soup and the sunset.

Iphigenia said...

lovely sunset. well done on the recipes

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