8 clam soup recipes

New York-style clam chowder with hard clams, salt pork, potatoes, carrots, canned tomatoes, and thyme in a clear broth. The tomato-based cousin of New England chowder.

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.

Mushroom clam chowder made with minced clams, fresh mushrooms, celery, and onion in a light cornstarch-thickened skim milk broth. A lower-fat twist on classic clam chowder ready in 45 minutes.

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

Manhattan clam chowder made in the microwave with minced clams, bacon, tomato juice, and thyme. A brothy, tomato-based chowder ready in about 20 minutes.

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.

Pressure-cooked beef roast shredded into a rich tomato-clam broth with mushrooms, onions, and garlic creates an unexpected fusion goulash with Hungarian-seafood soul.