This is a delicious soup I found on Epicurious. It is the best homemade clam chowder I've come across and is excellent as a cup of soup with a elegant meal or as a bowl of soup for a yummy lunch. They call for russet potatoes but I often use red potatoes instead. The russets do help to make the broth a bit thicker but I like the flavor of the red potatoes a bit more. If you like the broth a bit thicker but want the flavor of the red potatoes, simply add 1/3 cup flour instead of the 1/4 cup in the recipe.
- Yield
- Makes 8 (first-course) or 4 (main-course) servings
Ingredients
- 3 8-ounce bottles clam juice
- 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
- 3 slices bacon, finely chopped
- 2 cups chopped onions
- 1 1/4 cups chopped celery with leaves (about 2 large stalks)
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 6 6 1/2-ounce cans chopped clams, drained, juices reserved
- 1 1/4 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Preparation
- Bring bottled clam juice and potatoes to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until bacon begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Add onions, celery, garlic and bay leaf and sauté until vegetables soften, about 6 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes (do not allow flour to brown). Gradually whisk in reserved juices from clams. Add potato mixture, clams, half and half and hot pepper sauce. Simmer chowder 5 minutes to blend flavors, stirring frequently. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Bring to simmer before serving.)
