Irish Seafood Chowder with Oatcakes
A creamy and comforting seafood chowder, rich with the flavors of the Atlantic, served alongside traditional Irish oatcakes. This dish celebrates Ireland's coastal bounty.
🧂 Ingredients
- 600 g Mixed seafood(e.g., cod, salmon, mussels, prawns; cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 50 g Butter
- 2 medium Leeks(white and light green parts, washed and finely chopped)
- 400 g Potatoes(peeled and diced into 1cm cubes)
- 750 ml Fish or vegetable stock
- 250 ml Milk
- 100 ml Heavy cream
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley(chopped)
- to taste Salt
- to taste White pepper
- 12 for serving Oatcakes
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 2
Add chopped leeks and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Do not brown.
⏱️ 7 minutes💡 Tip: Sweating the leeks gently brings out their sweetness. - 3
Add diced potatoes and cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Pour in the fish or vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
⏱️ 15 minutes💡 Tip: You can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot to help thicken the chowder. - 5
Add the milk and heavy cream. Bring back to a gentle simmer, but do not boil.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Gently add the mixed seafood (cod, salmon, prawns first, then mussels last as they cook quickly). Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that do not open.
⏱️ 8 minutes💡 Tip: Be careful not to overcook the seafood, as it can become tough. - 7
Stir in the chopped fresh dill and parsley. Season generously with salt and white pepper to taste.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 8
Serve hot, accompanied by traditional Irish oatcakes.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a thicker chowder, you can use a roux (equal parts butter and flour cooked together) before adding the stock.
- ✓If you can't find mixed seafood, use your favorite combination of fish and shellfish.
- ✓A splash of dry sherry can add an extra layer of flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for a slight tang.
- Incorporate corn kernels for a touch of sweetness.