Salmon Chowder

The few times I have mentioned Salmon Chowder on my menu, I have attracted intrigue. My sister in law, gave me this recipe. It is one of those really quick “go to” recipes. You can easily keep the ingredients on hand. I am going to share with you the original recipe and then suggest a few ways you can change it slightly if you so desire.

Salmon Chowder

• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 TBS butter

Saute celery, onion, green peppers and garlic in butter until tender.

• 1 cup uncooked diced potatoes
• 1 cup shredded carrots (I chop mine instead)
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1/2 t. cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 t. dill weed

Add potatoes, carrots, broth, pepper and dill. Bring to a boil. Simmer 40 minutes until tender. (I often cook my potatoes and carrots in water until tender because my broth often evaporates too quickly).

• 1 can cream style corn
• 1 can whole kernel corn
• 2 cups half and half cream
• 1 can salmon, drained, flaked (bones and skin removed)

Add last 4 ingredients and heat through for 15 minutes.

Here are a few suggestions for this recipe:

1. Add more veggies and potatoes. I typically ignore the suggestions for vegetables and add until my heart is content. This is a healthy and inexpensive way to stretch this recipe for a larger family. You can always add a touch more broth or cream if needed.
2. Use regular salmon instead of canned. If you are at all a squimish cook, I may lose you when you open a can of salmon. It is a tad gross. Bones and skin. Bleh. However, it is a frugal way to utilize salmon. I suspect that 2 or 3 regular salmon fillets could easily be substituted. It is not cheaper, but it is healthier.
3. Use 2 cups of fresh or frozen corn instead of canned. Frozen and fresh is always healthier than canned.
4. Substitute milk for some of the half and half. It will not be as rich in taste, but if you needed to make this a tad less fattening, substituting out some of the cream would work.
5. Use Old Bay Seasoning to increase flavor. I don’t add this while cooking, but allow each person to sprinkle on as much as they desire on their individual bowl. That way each of my kids palates can be happy (because you know that is what it is all about in the end is it not?)
6. Aldi. You knew it was coming didn’t you? I had to bring in Aldi. The reason being is that EVERY single one of these ingredients can be bought at Aldi! Yes. Even the canned Salmon (or the frozen).

My kids love this chowder. The best part?

They are eating tons of this: and don’t even know it.

So what do you think? Are you ready to try Salmon Chowder?

linking to Tuesday Tidbits and The Freshman Cook and Tasty Tuesday