Razor Clam Chowder
Recipe courtesy of Quinault Beach Resort & Casino in Ocean Shores

Cooking time 30 minutes

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1/4 cup celery, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp each dried basil, thyme, and oregano
• 2 cups white wine
• 3/4 lb red potatoes, scrubbed and diced
• 6 tbsp clam juice
• 3/4 lb razor clams, minced
• 2 oz hot smoked salmon, flaked (optional)
• 3 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• Salt and white pepper

Method

1. Melt butter in a medium stock pot over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until aromatic, 1-2 minutes. Add onion and celery and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add herbs and simmer until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook to reduce liquid by half. Add potatoes, clam juice, and enough cold water to cover potatoes by 1 inch (about 1 cup). Increase heat to medium-high and cook until potatoes are tender, 20-25 minutes. Stir in clams and salmon (if using), then add cream and return to boil.
2. Mix cornstarch with 2 tsp water to dissolve. Add to chowder and whisk to incorporate. Cook for a few minutes to thicken. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve right away.

Ocean Shore's Razor Clam & Seafood Festival takes place this year from Friday, March 17, through Sunday, March 19, 2023. It's all things seafood: razor clams, Dungeness crab, clam chowder, raw oyster bar, fish and chips, scallops, salmon, smash burgers (okay, not seafood), and more. It is free to attend, you pay for the food you choose. There are vendors, live music, wine, and beer. Check out their website to see all they offer.

The Pacific razor clam is one of the most sought-after shellfish in Washington. If you want to dig for razor clams, all you need is a clam shovel, a container to put your clams in, and your clam license. Go to https://wdfw.wa.gov/ for all the details and instructions on digging for razor clams.

Razor clams are found primarily on the intertidal coastal beaches (those exposed at low tide). The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife divides the harvest areas into five major management zones:

• Long Beach from the Columbia River north to the mouth of the Willapa Bay.
• Twin Harbors from Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
• Copalis Beach from the north jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor to the Copalis River.
• Mocrocks from the Copalis River to the south boundary of the Quinault Indian Reservation.
• Kalaloch from the South Beach campground north to Olympic National Park Beach Trail 3.

Quinault Pride Seafood provides the clams for Ocean Shore's Razor Clam & Seafood Festival. You can buy seafood from them online at Quinaultpride.online

Visit them at 100 W Quinault St in Taholah, WA, or call 360-276-8333.

February 2023