This delicious, creamy Best Clam Chowder is the perfect soup to serve for a lighter holiday meal. yield: 5-6 total time: 55 MINUTES prep time: 20 MINUTES cook time: 35 MINUTES
Ingredients
8-10 bacon strips, divided
2 Tbsp. butter
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 leek, finely chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
3-4 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup broth (chicken or vegetable)
1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/3 cup all-purpose
2 cups half-and-half, divided
3 cans (6-1/2 ounces each) of whole clams, chopped into chunky pieces,
Bay leaf
Chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
1. In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Add butter to the drippings (you can spoon out some of the drippings if you don’t want to ues that much); saute celery, leek, and onion until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, broth, clam juice, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into the soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
3. Stir in (drained) clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil); turn down to low heat; add the bay leaf. Cook for additional 2-3 minutes on low heat. Add in 4 strips of crumbled bacon.
4. Crumble the reserved 2 strips of bacon. Garnish chowder with crumbled bacon and fresh chopped chives.
