New England Clam Chowder

Ingredients

• 3 cans (6oz each) chopped clams, juice reserved
• 4 strips thick bacon, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 cup clam juice (bottled)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 0.25 cup flour
• 1 tbsp butter
• Fresh thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper

Method

1. Cook bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove and reserve. Leave 2 tbsp fat in pot.
2. Cook onion and celery 5 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over top and stir 1 minute.
3. Add reserved clam juice, bottled clam juice, potatoes, thyme and bay leaf. Simmer 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
4. Add cream and clams. Simmer 5 minutes (do not boil). Season generously. Top with reserved bacon.