Tag: clam cakes

A Thoughtful and Informative Essay on Clam Chowder from Jane Lear

This season's unending cold makes it perfect weather for Chowder. In "Thoughts on Clam Chowder," food writer Jane Lear echoes what many of us feel, "…this dratted weather (we’re eagerly awaiting an alleged 'warming trend') calls for something more substantial and nourishing."

Wonderful Tidbits of Information Seasoned This Piece

I didn't know that Cape Hatteras chowder was "brothy Hatteras clam chowder, which tastes of the ocean, not of cream or tomatoes…" like my beloved Rhode Island clear clam chowder.

I didn't know that some clams were called middlenecks and in researching that I found more names for the various sizes of quahogs.

Have you heard of "pasta necks" or "top necks?" Around New England, we seem to have three divisions, cherrystones, littlenecks, and chowder clams

Lear also includes tips and background on milk, choosing and cutting potatoes, and thickening agents like crackers. She finishes up with her recipe for New England clam chowder.

I think she may have never experienced the good old red amusement park chowder served up at the shore dinner halls in places like Rocky Point Park and Crescent Park in Rhode Island. That's the one that was recreated for me by the wonderful crew on the Cod Squad Truck last summer. It too was thickened with crackers and was the perfect consistency for dipping clam cakes.

The other reason I loved this essay is that while rich chowders will warm us in our current deep freeze, chowder is a staple of summer. It's perfect for spooning up before the fried clams at your favorite clam shack. A giant pot of chowder is part of a great clam bake or clam boil.

Thinking about this gives me hope that the warmth will return and with it days by the shore with a cup of chowder in hand.

For more delicious writing, you can follow Jane Lear on Twitter, @janelear

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2008-2013 Penny Cherubino screenshot from www.janelear.com

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Clear, Rhode Island Clam Chowder: Updated from the Archives with Recipe Links

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Healthier Clam Chowder

March 7, 2014
Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

For the past two weeks, we've had lunch at Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck at their Thursday spot on Belvidere Street near the Christian Science Center fountain. Last week, the full complement of three trucks was on hand offering some great choices.

Biryani Park, the Cod Squad, and the Pasta Pot are together for Thursday Lunch.

A conversation with The Cod Squad crew on twitter ensured where and what we would be ordering last Thursday. After they read our post last week, they made an offer we were not about to refuse!

Any time a chef is willing to make something especially for us, we are honored. And, it has been a long time since we enjoyed some great RI style chowder and clam cakes so that's what we asked them to make. Penny even sent the recipes for Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clam cakes.

When we arrived, there it was on the special's board. And, the woman in front of us in line ordered it too!

We both ordered our special and have to say that Chef Brian Sway did a masterful job of recreating the chowder of our youth. It had nice big pieces of clams, perfect spoonable size potatoes, and perfect seasoning. Turns out, he had some special memories of Rocky Point of his own.

In the case of the clam cakes, chef outdid himself and certainly improved on what we used to call "sinkers" when Rocky Point made them.

Chef Sway's were light and airy with plenty of clam bits, a touch of scallion, and a perfect fry job. These floated as we dipped them in our chowder (the traditional Rhode Island way to eat clam cakes) and in the spicy remoulade he served with them for those new to this treat.

Penny chatted with the chef when she went to thank him for making this for us. Now that he has satisfied our cravings with a very tradtional rendition, he has plans to change it up a bit and make it his own. We look forward to trying it.

But, we don't think he should change a thing about his clam cakes. This could be a new Boston Food Truck sensation, like The Dining Car's Crispy Cauliflower. These could become a trademark treat you seek out the truck to enjoy.

By the way, food trucks like The Cod Squad Truck are another great reason for downloading & using the LevelUp App. We just had to hold out a phone to put the $20 meal on our card and we gained credits that will one day buy another meal from this small business.

If you join LevelUp through this special link you will get a $5 credit to spend on your first purchase and we'll be rewarded with a credit, too!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

Have You Tried a New Food Truck? We Visited the Cod Squad Truck

Great chefs share tricks of the trade

April 18, 2013
Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

For the past two weeks, we've had lunch at Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck at their Thursday spot on Belvidere Street near the Christian Science Center fountain. Last week, the full complement of three trucks was on hand offering some great choices.

Biryani Park, the Cod Squad, and the Pasta Pot are together for Thursday Lunch.

A conversation with The Cod Squad crew on twitter ensured where and what we would be ordering last Thursday. After they read our post last week, they made an offer we were not about to refuse!

Any time a chef is willing to make something especially for us, we are honored. And, it has been a long time since we enjoyed some great RI style chowder and clam cakes so that's what we asked them to make. Penny even sent the recipes for Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clam cakes.

When we arrived, there it was on the special's board. And, the woman in front of us in line ordered it too!

We both ordered our special and have to say that Chef Brian Sway did a masterful job of recreating the chowder of our youth. It had nice big pieces of clams, perfect spoonable size potatoes, and perfect seasoning. Turns out, he had some special memories of Rocky Point of his own.

In the case of the clam cakes, chef outdid himself and certainly improved on what we used to call "sinkers" when Rocky Point made them.

Chef Sway's were light and airy with plenty of clam bits, a touch of scallion, and a perfect fry job. These floated as we dipped them in our chowder (the traditional Rhode Island way to eat clam cakes) and in the spicy remoulade he served with them for those new to this treat.

Penny chatted with the chef when she went to thank him for making this for us. Now that he has satisfied our cravings with a very tradtional rendition, he has plans to change it up a bit and make it his own. We look forward to trying it.

But, we don't think he should change a thing about his clam cakes. This could be a new Boston Food Truck sensation, like The Dining Car's Crispy Cauliflower. These could become a trademark treat you seek out the truck to enjoy.

By the way, food trucks like The Cod Squad Truck are another great reason for downloading & using the LevelUp App. We just had to hold out a phone to put the $20 meal on our card and we gained credits that will one day buy another meal from this small business.

If you join LevelUp through this special link you will get a $5 credit to spend on your first purchase and we'll be rewarded with a credit, too!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

Have You Tried a New Food Truck? We Visited the Cod Squad Truck

Great chefs share tricks of the trade

April 18, 2013
Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

For the past two weeks, we've had lunch at Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck at their Thursday spot on Belvidere Street near the Christian Science Center fountain. Last week, the full complement of three trucks was on hand offering some great choices.

Biryani Park, the Cod Squad, and the Pasta Pot are together for Thursday Lunch.

A conversation with The Cod Squad crew on twitter ensured where and what we would be ordering last Thursday. After they read our post last week, they made an offer we were not about to refuse!

Any time a chef is willing to make something especially for us, we are honored. And, it has been a long time since we enjoyed some great RI style chowder and clam cakes so that's what we asked them to make. Penny even sent the recipes for Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clam cakes.

When we arrived, there it was on the special's board. And, the woman in front of us in line ordered it too!

We both ordered our special and have to say that Chef Brian Sway did a masterful job of recreating the chowder of our youth. It had nice big pieces of clams, perfect spoonable size potatoes, and perfect seasoning. Turns out, he had some special memories of Rocky Point of his own.

In the case of the clam cakes, chef outdid himself and certainly improved on what we used to call "sinkers" when Rocky Point made them.

Chef Sway's were light and airy with plenty of clam bits, a touch of scallion, and a perfect fry job. These floated as we dipped them in our chowder (the traditional Rhode Island way to eat clam cakes) and in the spicy remoulade he served with them for those new to this treat.

Penny chatted with the chef when she went to thank him for making this for us. Now that he has satisfied our cravings with a very tradtional rendition, he has plans to change it up a bit and make it his own. We look forward to trying it.

But, we don't think he should change a thing about his clam cakes. This could be a new Boston Food Truck sensation, like The Dining Car's Crispy Cauliflower. These could become a trademark treat you seek out the truck to enjoy.

By the way, food trucks like The Cod Squad Truck are another great reason for downloading & using the LevelUp App. We just had to hold out a phone to put the $20 meal on our card and we gained credits that will one day buy another meal from this small business.

If you join LevelUp through this special link you will get a $5 credit to spend on your first purchase and we'll be rewarded with a credit, too!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

Have You Tried a New Food Truck? We Visited the Cod Squad Truck

Great chefs share tricks of the trade

April 18, 2013
Have You Tried a New Food Truck? We Visited the Cod Squad Truck

We're already out taste testing the new additions to the Boston Food Truck scene. Last Thursday, we tried the Cod Squad Truck from Captain Marden's Seafood. Their haddock sandwich was a hit! We'll do a full report once we've tasted a few more items.

Keep an eye on the Cod Squad Truck specials board. We had a fun Twitter conversation with the truck crew this week. If you see "Penny's Special," it will be their version of Rhode Island style clam chowder and clam cakes.

It might be the clear chowder we have told you about in the past or the red chowder that was served at all the shore dinner halls and amusement parks. That is sometimes called Rocky Point Clam Chowder. The clam cakes are fritters containing pieces of clams that you can dip in the chowder.

Either Rhode Island Chowder should qualify for the trucks healthy option. The clam cakes will have to count as your weekly cheat if you're watching what you eat.

Once the season gets rolling, this spot on Belvidere Street (map) near the Christian Science fountain should be a destination with up to 4 trucks at a time, convenient seating, and the entertainment of watching people play with the fountain. (More fountain fun at Water Attracts)

Update 04.09.13: Correction! There will be 3 trucks at Belvidere Street. It is site #4 not 4 trucks. Thanks to Steven from Hub Food Trucks for explaining that #4 on the city's schedule to me!

See all our Street Food/Food Truck Coverage

Thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your Spring Shopping List? Click here for Spring Season Savings over at Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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Where to Find the Best Chowder in Boston

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

56/365: National Clam Chowder Day

Clam Chowder and Golden Gate bridge – San Francisco, CA

April 9, 2013
Have You Tried a New Food Truck? We Visited the Cod Squad Truck

We're already out taste testing the new additions to the Boston Food Truck scene. Last Thursday, we tried the Cod Squad Truck from Captain Marden's Seafood. Their haddock sandwich was a hit! We'll do a full report once we've tasted a few more items.

Keep an eye on the Cod Squad Truck specials board. We had a fun Twitter conversation with the truck crew this week. If you see "Penny's Special," it will be their version of Rhode Island style clam chowder and clam cakes.

It might be the clear chowder we have told you about in the past or the red chowder that was served at all the shore dinner halls and amusement parks. That is sometimes called Rocky Point Clam Chowder. The clam cakes are fritters containing pieces of clams that you can dip in the chowder.

Either Rhode Island Chowder should qualify for the trucks healthy option. The clam cakes will have to count as your weekly cheat if you're watching what you eat.

Once the season gets rolling, this spot on Belvidere Street (map) near the Christian Science fountain should be a destination with up to 4 trucks at a time, convenient seating, and the entertainment of watching people play with the fountain. (More fountain fun at Water Attracts)

Update 04.09.13: Correction! There will be 3 trucks at Belvidere Street. It is site #4 not 4 trucks. Thanks to Steven from Hub Food Trucks for explaining that #4 on the city's schedule to me!

See all our Street Food/Food Truck Coverage

Thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your Spring Shopping List? Click here for Spring Season Savings over at Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Where to Find the Best Chowder in Boston

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

56/365: National Clam Chowder Day

Clam Chowder and Golden Gate bridge – San Francisco, CA

April 9, 2013
Have You Tried a New Food Truck? We Visited the Cod Squad Truck

We're already out taste testing the new additions to the Boston Food Truck scene. Last Thursday, we tried the Cod Squad Truck from Captain Marden's Seafood. Their haddock sandwich was a hit! We'll do a full report once we've tasted a few more items.

Keep an eye on the Cod Squad Truck specials board. We had a fun Twitter conversation with the truck crew this week. If you see "Penny's Special," it will be their version of Rhode Island style clam chowder and clam cakes.

It might be the clear chowder we have told you about in the past or the red chowder that was served at all the shore dinner halls and amusement parks. That is sometimes called Rocky Point Clam Chowder. The clam cakes are fritters containing pieces of clams that you can dip in the chowder.

Either Rhode Island Chowder should qualify for the trucks healthy option. The clam cakes will have to count as your weekly cheat if you're watching what you eat.

Once the season gets rolling, this spot on Belvidere Street (map) near the Christian Science fountain should be a destination with up to 4 trucks at a time, convenient seating, and the entertainment of watching people play with the fountain. (More fountain fun at Water Attracts)

Update 04.09.13: Correction! There will be 3 trucks at Belvidere Street. It is site #4 not 4 trucks. Thanks to Steven from Hub Food Trucks for explaining that #4 on the city's schedule to me!

See all our Street Food/Food Truck Coverage

Thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your Spring Shopping List? Click here for Spring Season Savings over at Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Where to Find the Best Chowder in Boston

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

56/365: National Clam Chowder Day

Clam Chowder and Golden Gate bridge – San Francisco, CA

April 9, 2013