Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Chowder

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Chowder
The Saratoga Olive Oil Co. chowder recipe for Chowderfest 2019! Meatballs, like the weather, are not always predictable. Saratoga Olive Co. forecasts a cloudy blend of grass-fed beef and lean pork with occasional splashes of Neapolitan Herb Balsamic Vinegarand Herbes de Provence Olive Oil. To finish, a sprinkle of French Citrus Fennel Sea Salt rounds out the amazing flavors. We predict an herbaceous chowder with a chance of occasional flavor overload! (Fellow chowderheads – meat ball recipe NOT included.)

Products used: French Citrus Fennel Sea Salt, Herbes de Provence Olive Oil, Neapolitan Herb Balsamic

Ingredients

2 cups cut young Potatoes (skin on)
8 cups premium Chicken Stock
¼ cup (4 Tbsp) SOOC Herbes de Provence Olive Oil
2 cups cut Shallots
1½ cups cut Fennel
½ cup Flour
6-8 cups sliced Mushrooms
2 Tbsp SOOC Neapolitan Herb Balsamic Vinegar
½ tsp SOOC French Citrus Fennel Sea Salt (or more to taste)
½ tsp ground white Pepper
1 tsp dried Thyme
1 cup Heavy Cream

Directions

In a large soup pot, cook the diced potatoes in the chicken stock until tender.

Strain the potatoes from the stock, and reserve both the potatoes and the stock.

Put SOOC Herbes de Provence Olive Oil in the pot, add the onions, diced fennel, and cook until onions are translucent.

Add the mushrooms and sauté, add SOOC Neapolitan Herb Balsamic Vinegar.

Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour turns golden.

Add the reserved chicken stock, a little at a time, whisking until the mixture is smooth.

Stir in the SOOC French Citrus Fennel Sea Salt, pepper, and thyme, and let the chowder simmer for 45 minutes.

Add the potatoes, cream, and bring the chowder back to a simmer.

Ladle the chowder over meatball, finish with spoon of Tornado Vinaigrette (see instructions below).

Finish with a light sprinkle of SOOC French Citrus Fennel Salt.

Cover and refrigerate any leftover chowder for up to 3 days.

(Optional) Neapolitan Herbes de Provence Tornado Vinaigrette:

Mix a ¼ cup each of Herbes de Provence Olive Oil and Neapolitan Herb Balsamic Vinegar. Add 1.5 tsp of Tuscan Herb Seasoning, 1 Tbsp of parmesan cheese, and French Citrus Fennel Salt to taste. Shake vigorously until emulsified.