Traditional New England Clam Chowder Recipe

Serves/Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (6 1/2 ounces each) minced or chopped clams, drained and juice reserved
• 2 tablespoons PLUS 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped leeks
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 3 cups diced, peeled potatoes
• 1 cup clam juice
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 cups milk
• 2 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• Oyster crackers, to serve

How to cook Traditional New England Clam Chowder:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, leeks and celery; saute until vegetables begin to soften. Stir in potatoes, reserved clam juice, 1 cup clam juice, water, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 1/2 cup of butter or margarine in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour and sugar and cook and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in half-and-half and milk; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to boil.
• Add milk mixture to vegetables. Stir in clams and bacon. Heat through over medium-low heat; DO NOT BOIL.
• Stir in parsley and check for seasonings. Serve the Traditional New England Clam Chowder hot topped with oyster crackers.

Note:
The Traditional New England Clam Chowder recipe is delicious, simple, and really easy to cook.

Comment:
New England Clam Chowder is a milk- or cream-based chowder, traditionally made with potatoes, onion, bacon or salt pork, flour or hardtack, and clams.

This recipe for Traditional New England Clam Chowder serves/makes: 6 servings

Main Ingredient: Clams 
Preparation Method: Soup/Stew 
Cuisine: American