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Creamy Nova Scotia Seafood Chowder: A Must-Try Recipe!

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A rich and creamy seafood chowder featuring a delightful mix of fresh seafood and vegetables, perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 450 g mixed seafood — shrimp, scallops, white fish, mussels, or lobster
  • 450 g potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 500 ml whole milk
  • 250 ml heavy cream
  • 500 ml seafood or chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice, optional

Instructions

  1. Sauté the vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Cook for 5–7 minutes, until softened.
  2. Make the base: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for about 1 minute.
  3. Add the liquids: Slowly whisk in the broth, milk, and cream to prevent lumps. Add the bay leaf and thyme.
  4. Cook the potatoes: Add the diced potatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 12–15 minutes, until the potatoes are nearly tender.
  5. Add the seafood: Add the seafood according to cooking time—firm fish and scallops first, followed by shrimp and already-cooked seafood. Simmer gently until everything is just cooked through, usually 5–8 minutes. Avoid vigorous boiling so the seafood stays tender.
  6. Season: Remove the bay leaf. Stir in salt, pepper, dill or parsley, and lemon juice if using.
  7. Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve hot with crusty bread, biscuits, or dinner rolls.

Notes

  • For a thicker chowder, you can blend a portion of the soup and return it to the pot.
  • Feel free to adjust the seafood based on availability and preference.
  • This chowder can be made ahead of time and reheated gently.

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