New England

One recent Summer afternoon at Sam's Chowder House, I enjoyed some of the best New England clam chowder I'd ever had. Ever since, then, I've had lingering thoughts of making an inspired version at home, which was further encouraged when I came across a copy of The Summer Shack Cookbook, in which I earmarked a promising recipe for fresh-from-scratch, authentic New England clam chowder.

The recipe calls for quahogs, the unofficial chowder clam of New England, but since those aren't widely available on the West Coast, I substituted them with Manila clams. You can use any kind that works for you. For a taste of the ocean, read more

In case you hadn't noticed, the warmer Spring-to-Summer weather has put me in the mood for seafood 24/7. In the last few days, I've drooled over mussels and eaten oysters raw and fried at the Oyster Fest. As though someone read my mind, I received a copy of The Summer Shack Cookbook, a compendium of New England shack-style seafood recipes from Jasper White, the chef and owner of the East Coast's Summer Shack restaurants. Don't live in proximity to one of the shacks? You can still have the shore food experience; read more

For respite from the harshest Winter days, turn to the simple yet satiating Northeastern staple known as clam chowder. Not only will this soup provide you with warmth in the most bone-chilling weather, but its shellfish base will remind you that balmy Summer days at the beach aren't but several months away. This balanced, nutritious, one-pot meal can be made with shortcuts like bottled clam juice; or, for an extra-special soup, make the seafood base from scratch. To make either version of this New England classic, read more