Salmon Chowder

I just came back from a  run along our beautiful seawall where it was raining sideways and it gave me a craving for a hot, comforting bowl of soup inspired by the ocean.    I prepared this quick, easy, fresh, and healthy Salmon Chowder.

It was so delicious!

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be prepared in minutes for a weeknight family dinner, or if  you  are entertaining, it can be prepared ahead of time and served with rich toppings for an elegant starter.

If you are serving this soup  for dinner a healthy,  whole grain bread goes well to make it a  complete dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
• 1 leek chopped fine
• 3 scallion (green onions) chopped fine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red pepper chopped
• 1 sweet potato, peeled if desired and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk
• 12 oz. skinless salmon fillet, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoon chopped dill weed
• 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives
• Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Dill weed for garnish
• Chives chopped for garnish
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest for garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat sauté leeks, onion, garlic, red pepper for five minutes or until the onions are softened.
2. Then season with 1 tablespoon dill and ground black pepper.
3. Stir in sweet potatoes, corn and sauté for 5 more minutes.
4. Add water, bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Increase heat to medium, stir in milk, salmon, dill, cilantro, parsley, chives.
6. Simmer, uncovered and stirring often but gently, for about 5 minutes or until salmon is firm and opaque and soup is thickened (do not let boil).
7. Stir in lemon juice and season to taste with pepper.
8. Ladle into warmed bowls and garnish with dill sprigs, chives and lemon zest.

Serving

• If you are serving this soup  for dinner  then serve some warmed, healthy, whole grain bread for a complete dinner.
• If you are serving this as an elegant starter for a dinner party then garnish with a piece of smoked salmon, a dollop of crème fraiche or yogurt and chopped chives.
• This soup also transports well in a thermos for a hike, picnic …we take in on our sailboat for a hearty lunch.

Enjoy!