10 clam soup recipes

Curried clam soup made with a creamy soup mix base, baby clams, curry powder, cumin, and a butter-flour roux for extra thickness. A quick, warming bowl in 30 minutes.

Littleneck clams steamed open in white wine with leeks, garlic, and cream, finished with a splash of Ricard for an anise-kissed French bistro soup. Ready in 30 minutes.

New England clam chowder ready in 20 minutes. Canned clams, diced potatoes, onion in butter, and milk warmed just under a boil. A splash of sherry for the old-school finish.

Cold clam bisque blended with baby clams, half-and-half, Worcestershire, and hot pepper sauce. A creamy no-cook chilled seafood soup sprinkled with chives and paprika, ready in 15 minutes.

Manhattan Island clam chowder is the tomato-based East Coast chowder: littleneck clams steamed open, then simmered in white wine and fresh tomato broth with pork fatback, potatoes, and cracker crumb thickening.

Cape May clam chowder is a Jersey Shore tomato-based chowder with fresh clams, sea scallops, bacon, and herbs. The Mid-Atlantic answer to the New England-versus-Manhattan debate.

To the delight of clam lovers on the East Coast and Pacific Northwest, clams are available year round. OK, let's make some clams.

Chopped black olives and canned clams stirred into sour cream with garlic powder and a kick of cayenne. Five minutes of effort, two hours in the fridge, and you've got a briny, creamy party dip.

Creamy sherried lobster bisque for two, made with lobster tails, red potatoes, clam juice, and light sour cream blended silky smooth. An intimate, elegant soup finished with dry sherry and thyme.

Neptune Gazpacho blends tomato and clam juice with cucumber, avocado, and fresh dill, topped with shrimp for a chilled no-cook seafood soup.