Haddock Chowder

         It's to the point now that I don't even follow a recipe to make this anymore I just know how to make it.  This recent batch came out so damned delicious!  I think it was my best yet.  Haddock chowder is one of my most favorite comfort foods.  I prefer making mine on the stove versus in a slow cooker.  Slow cookers tend to cook it too much to death where on the stove you can control it better on how long it cooks for.  Here's how I made it.

Ingredients:

1lb fresh or frozen at sea haddock 

4 large golden skinned potatoes peeled, cubed and steamed (not russets!)

1 yellow onion diced (I like a large dice for this as onions tend to disintegrate a little)

1 stick of butter

1/2 gallon whole milk

1/8th cup of all purpose flour 

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

In a double boiler or using a steam basket in a pot steam the potatoes for about 10 minutes and set aside.

In a large soup pot melt the butter and sauté the onion until translucent (about 10 or so minutes).  Add in the flour and cook for about another 5 minutes just to cook out the raw flour taste.  Add in milk stirring vigorously.  Add in potatoes and bring slowly to not quite a boil.  Bringing it up too hot too fast will "break" it (separating the milk solids from the liquids) ruining your chowder.  Once it is at a moderate simmer add in the fish.  Cook this until fish is cooked and potatoes are tender.  Add in salt and pepper to taste.  Once it is cooked you can turn it off, and each consecutive day you reheat this make sure to bring it up slow with heat and not boil it just a light simmer.  Make sure to keep it stirred to prevent anything sticking to the bottom of the pan.  Another key tip with any kind of hot soup is that it is super duper important to make sure it is completely cooled before refrigerating it for the night.  If you put hot soup or chowder in the fridge it doesn't cool properly and breeds dangerous bacteria.  Cool uncovered on a cool countertop completely before placing in the fridge.  I like to serve my haddock chowder with biscuits or crackers.  So delicious!