Ivars Clam chowder

 2 (6.5oz) minced clam cans
1 bag (16oz) of frozen Newport Steamer clams in the shell (not necessary, but I happen to have them)
1 c finely chopped onion
1 c finely diced celery
2 c finely diced potatoes
4 garlic cloves
3/4c butter
3/4c flour
4c half/half
1 t salt
1 dash pepper
1/2t sugar

In medium saucepan, drain the juice. Set the clams aside. Combine clam juice with the onions, potatoes, celery and potatoes. Add enough water in barely cover and simmer, covered over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 20 min.

In large saucepan, melt butter. Saute garlic for 3-4 min, add flour and stir. Slowly whish in the warm half and half. Cook and whisk till smooth and thick, about 5 min.

If you want a thinner chowder, add 1/2-3/4c water or clam broth. Add the veggies with the cooking liquid, clams, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir well and adjust seasonings if necessary

Dayna said, "Ive tried the bacon type of clam chowder, it ends up tasting like loaded baked potato soup. The Ivars recipe is a washington state tradition and most everyone up there in the pacific northwest is accustomed to the clam chowder, so other soups that include bacon taste like good soup but not clam chowder. Once you add bacon to anything, it all becomes bacon. This recipe sticks to the clam base (sauteing the veggies in clam juice)."

10/26/22 RIDICULOUSLY amazing! Definitely a must do soup again.

I added the steamer clams to the recipe (it wasn't from the original recipe), I followed the directions on the package, put the whole bag in boiling water and wait for 4 min to have the clams pop open. Then take them off the stove and open the bag and pull out the  clams in the shell and put the clams in the big soup pot and stir.