Salmon Cod Chowder

John and I had a nice lunch date  in Eureka a few days ago at the Down Town Express Cafe.  A nice little cafe conveniently located across the the courthouse and within walking distance of work. While we were there we noticed this enormous list of soups that they make.  They feature a couple different soups each day.  I can't remember what they had featured that day, but we did notice a Salmon Cod Chowder on their list.  John's a white fish kinda' guy, I prefer pink fish.  We thought this would be a good chowder for us, a good compromise.  When I Googled for a recipe, there were none to be found, so I figured they must have made this recipe up.  So I started doing some searching and ended up with two recipes.  A Cod Chowder and a Salmon Chowder, and I proceeded to meld the two. This is what I came up with.

Kim's Salmon Cod Chowder

3 tbsp butter
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
3 tbsp flour
1 cup clam juice
3 cups chicken broth
3 cups diced potatoes
1 lb salmon diced
1 lb rock cod diced
1 cup frozen peas
3 cups cream
1/2 cup milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 tbsp flat leaf parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a saucepan.  Add celery, carrot, and onion; saute, stirring for several minutes until celery is tender.  Whisk the flour into the clam juice and add to the vegetables, stir and allow to thicken a bit.  Add chicken stock and potatoes and simmer, stirring occassionally until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.  Add salmon, cod and peas sitrring and cook for about 2 minutes.  Add the cream and milk along with  the cheese and parsley.  cook, stirring until the cheese has melted and the soup is beginning to bubble. Taste and salt and pepper to desired taste. 
Serve with a good french bread. (preferably home made and warm from the oven)
Makes 8 servings.

My attempt at a mise en place (notice the peas everywhere)

mirepoix

Putting in the cheese

The final product - thumbs up from the entire family.  When the kids give a thumbs up, it's gotta' be good!