Ingredients:

  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 large leek, white and light green parts only
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 16 oz bottled clam juice
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 lb firm white fish (Cod, Halibut, or Haddock), cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 lb bay scallops
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions:

  1. Place the diced bacon in your Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the fat has rendered and bits are crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pot.
  2. Add the butter to the bacon fat. Once melted, toss in the onion, celery, and leeks. Cook for 8 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Stir in the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears.
  4. Pour in the white wine. Use your wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavorful brown bits from the bottom. Cook for 3 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half.
  5. Slowly whisk in the clam juice to avoid lumps. Add the potatoes, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.
  7. Stir in the 2 cups of heavy cream. Bring the soup back to a very low simmer, but do not let it reach a rolling boil.
  8. Gently fold in the white fish chunks. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
  9. Add the shrimp and scallops. Cover the pot, turn off the heat entirely, and let it sit for 5 minutes. The residual heat will poach them until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
  10. Remove bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper, and the reserved crispy bacon. Taste it! Does it need more salt? A bit more pepper? Adjust now.