Use an enamel pot that holds about one gallon, add 2-3 ears sweet corn to boiling water. Cook until almost tender then cut corn off the cob. Add the potatoes to the same water and boil them until half done, about 5 minutes, strain and set aside. On a medium heat, brown the pork fat until it's nearly crisp, remove the fattiest bits. Add the onion and when it's caramelized, add the garlic, celery and potatoes. Let each brown a little before the next is put in. Add the butter if needed. On a low heat add 1 cup of clam juice, white wine, corn and all the spices. Simmer a few minutes to reduce slightly. Add the remaining clam juice, clams and fish, simmer another 5 minutes max. Salt lightly if necessary with course salt. Add light cream, when its starts to simmer its chow time! Serves 4

If you want to make chowder without the clams then make a fish stock to substitute for the clam juice. Into one quart cold water add a 1/2 cup of white wine, a small celery stalk, a few sprigs' parsley, a bay leaf, a pinch of thyme, 1/2 a small onion, a pinch of coarse salt, a few peppercorns and the head, tail and bones of any fish. Reduce it until you have about 2 cups (about 20 minutes) of stock. Strain liquid into a few bowls temporarily.

rec. Food. Cooking