Too often fish chowder is heavy, gloppy, and one-note. Not this guy. Coconut milk and lots of zippy aromatics bring life to the dish. And though you may think oyster crackers can’t be improved upon, you’ll change your mind when you try them extra-buttery and smothered in paprika.
Ingredients
4 servings
1½
2½
5
2
6
1
¾
¾
½
1
12
2
2
1½
1
2
Preparation
Step 1
Season cod all over with 1½ tsp. salt; set aside. Heat 3 Tbsp. ghee in a medium Dutch oven over medium. Cook leeks, garlic, and ginger, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add turmeric, coriander, and cardamom and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chile, potatoes, coconut milk, 1 tsp. salt, and ¾ cup water; bring to a boil (still over medium). Immediately reduce heat so soup is at a bare simmer. Cover, leaving lid slightly askew, and cook until potatoes are barely fork-tender, 10–12 minutes.
Step 2
Carefully nestle reserved fish into pot, spoon some broth over, and cover, leaving lid slightly askew. Cook at a bare simmer 4 minutes, then stir in celery. Cook until fish is opaque and flakes easily, about 5 minutes. Taste chowder and season with more salt if needed.
Step 3
Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 Tbsp. ghee in a small skillet over medium-low. Add crackers and stir well to coat. Cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add paprika; toss to evenly coat.
Step 4
Slice 1 lime in half and squeeze juice into chowder. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Ladle into bowls, breaking fish into large pieces. Scatter celery leaves over chowder if using and top with crackers. Slice remaining lime into wedges and serve alongside.
How would you rate Coconut Cod Chowder With Seasoned Oyster Crackers?
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Reviews (73)
Back to TopThis was a HUGE hit with my family. Everyone was basically begging for the recipe. Needs way more salt than says. I didn't have celery leaves so I served topped with cilantro. I also added fresh corn which was delicious!
Anonymous
Stockbridge,
7/6/2023
I made this recipe using fresh cod when it first came out, just a week or so before the Covid lock down.. 5 Stars. During Covid I made it again with flash-frozen cod. My mistake. As in > The cod was chewy to the point of being inedible. I threw it out, but saved the soup base (minus the potatoes) in the back of our downstairs deep freezer. Found it recently when spring-cleaning my pantry and freezer. Defrosted it and added (frozen then defrosted) little bay scallops and pre-cooked shrimp (cut into bay scallop-sized pieces). Ghee’d the oyster crackers with Szeged sweet paprika and a bit of Old Bay Seasoning (to add a touch of salt + heat). Back to 5 Stars.
Anonymous
6/12/2023
I have made this over and over again. Always surprised how delicious and sensory this soup is -- flavorful, deep, full of delicious pieces of fish, potatoes, ginger and leeks. A must have!
L Eyre
CT
3/2/2023
I thought this recipe needed some amping up: I added extra lime juice, a little fish sauce for extra salt, and more heat in the form of some chili oil drizzled on top. I did not make the seasoned oyster crackers because I couldn't find any in my grocery store, so I wonder if that may be affecting the final outcome. The combination of cod and coconut milk was really buttery and delicious! I think I will probably make a modified version of this recipe in the future: instead of adding potatoes, I'll put whatever veg I've got on hand and serve this over rice instead of as a soup.
Hunter
Minneapolis, MN
1/13/2023
Loved this recipe - used curry powder instead of just turmeric since that's what we could find in the cupboard. So delicious. Served at a dinner party and it was devoured!
WildERice
New York
12/12/2022
This was good, but not excellent. For the level of work it was fine but i will likely not make it again. The crackers were definitely not worth the added effort.
Anonymous
Dallas
9/22/2022
looks and tastes of spring.
Ann
Berkeley, CA
2/22/2022
Great soup, full of flavor, quick, and easy! Skipped the crackers. Don’t skip the lime!
Jill
Palmer, AK
10/30/2021
So much flavor for something so simple. Mine turned out pretty pale so purely for aesthetics I’d double the turmeric next time. The celery leaves were a surprisingly perfect garnish.
Anonymous
Chicago, IL
10/22/2021
This is a solid recipe! We're lactose intolerant in my house so we subbed coconut oil for the ghee. Works with shallots vs. leeks, tastes good with any added veg/protein laying around (we had edamame and spinach, which was tasty). Also tastes great if you swap one can coconut milk for one can fire-roasted tomatoes--that extra bit of acid makes it a bit more like tom kha gai IMHO. Even my toddler is a fan!
Ryan Rose
NYC
7/12/2021
The spiced coconut broth in this recipe embraced the delicate cod instead of overpowering it. I added Thai Basil, Cilantro and Scallions instead of celery, and a small dash of Za'atar. Delicious.
Barbara
Miami Beach, FL
5/14/2021
One of my favorite recipes so far. Used garam masala instead of cardamom and cumin instead of coriander (just because I couldn’t find them in the store). Used reduced fat coconut milk and a jalapeño instead of Serrano. I already can’t wait to make it again.
Anonymous
Denver, CO
3/15/2021
I followed the recipe exactly however I used coconut oil instead of ghee/butter, and I did not include the oyster crackers because that felt like gilding the lily. This is an outstanding chowder!
Anonymous
Brooklyn, NY
3/2/2021
Delicious!! I used 2 lbs of halibut and 2 Serrano peppers. The broth was a bit rich so I think I will sub one can with chicken or fish stock next time. The fresh lime squeezes are essential.
Sindi
New York, NY
1/15/2021
So stinking delicious AND simple enough to make on a weeknight!! Only changes were substituting 2.5 jalapeños for the Serrano as the store didn’t have any, and adding green beans to sneak in another vegetable. It was a hit with my seven year old. The play of flavors was just remarkable. Don’t forget that squeeze of lime. It really lifted it. I would love to see what it takes like the next day, but not sure I’d be able to wait!
Karin
Weston, CT
1/7/2021