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A brown bowl with a spoon filled with fish chowder made with cod fillets and potatoes.
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5 from 8 votes

Sheepshead (Fish) Chowder with Leeks, Fresh Dill and Lemon

A wonderful tasty fish chowder made with a firm white fish - like Sheepshead or cod. The hearty soup is seasoned with leeks, celery, dill and lemon.  
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 410kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds fresh sheepshead fillets or any firm-fleshed white fish
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 2 8- oz bottles clam juice
  • ½ teaspoon Italian hot pepper flakes
  • sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 small red potatoes diced in ½ inch pieces about 1 ½ cups ( no need to peel)
  • 2 medium leeks white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, rinsed well and thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 large ribs celery thinly sliced, about ¾ cup
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup corn  (optional)

Instructions

  • Cut fish into chunks and set aside.
  • In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and celery, and cook stirring, until veggies are tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. You don't want the "raw" taste of flour.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk, broth, clam juice, hot pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and bring to a simmer. Add the potatoes and bay leaf, simmer gently until the potatoes are tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. The last two minutes of simmering add the sheepshead and the corn.
  • Finally add the cream, dill, and lemon juice, and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with the sea salt and the freshly ground black pepper or additional red pepper flakes.

Notes

  • Delicious served with crusty Artisan bread.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 377mg | Potassium: 945mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1283IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 2mg