Ivars/Dayna's Clam Chowder

 

Epicurious

INGREDIENTS

2. 2 (6 1/2 ounce) cans minced clams
3. 4-5 garlic cloves
4. 1 cup finely chopped onion
5. 1 cup finely diced celery
6. 2 cups finely diced potatoes
7. 3/4 cup butter or margarine
8. 3/4 cup flour
9. 4 cups half-and-half, warmed
10. 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
11. 1 dash pepper
12. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
13. 1/2 lb bacon (didnt have)

PREPARATION

1. In a medium saucepan, saute onion, garlic, and celery. Then add clam juice and potatoes to onion mixture (in different bowl set the clams aside).  Barely cover to potatoes with water and simmer, covered, over medium heat until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
2.  If you want bacon, cook the bacon in the large sauce pan. When the bacon is cooked, take it out of the pan and add the butter to the bacon grease. If you choose not to add bacon, you can skip this step. In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add flour and stir in to the butter. Slowly whisk in the warm half-and-half. Cook and whisk until smooth and thick, about 5 minutes. Add the vegetables with their cooking liquid, clams, salt, pepper and sugar to the pan. Chop the cooked bacon and add it to the large sauce pan (if you are adding bacon). Stir well and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
2. 1/18/21 just delicious!! loved it. Dayna mentions she uses this creamy soup recipe w/o the clams for any other creamy vegetable soup dinner.