New England Clam Chowder



New England Clam Chowder

 I think life will slow down at different times of the year. But, actually it rarely does. It is not that we are super busy in our family. We are each just doing our own activities that as a whole make life seem sometimes a little more than hectic.

Having a few quarts of soup in the refrigerator makes for a quick lunch or dinner. I always have fresh bread on hand to serve with the soup. I wholeheartedly recommend finding a good bakery close to your home because good bread makes such a difference.

I usually make soup about every other week during the fall and winter months. My two oldest usually request a thick and creamy soup and are hoping that I replicate one of the soups served in bread bowls available at our local Panera. I am not sure which they like more -- the soup or the bread bowl. No Thank You Boy likes Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup minus the little bits of the supposed chicken parts or Ramen noodles. Adventurous. Very adventurous. The Husband likes any kind of soup. He is a simple man.

My most recent pot of soup was New England Clam Chowder. The thick chowder is loaded with chopped clams and potatoes and served in individual bread bowls. I picked up some large, crusty dinner rolls and hollowed them out for the perfect single serving of soup.

After a day of holiday shopping, lacrosse games, and volleyball practice, you will be happy to serve New England Clam Chowder to your family and friends.


New England Clam Chowder

Serve this chowder in large, hollowed out dinner rolls. The two kinds of potatoes add different textures to the chowder. The russet potato gives the chowder a smooth texture while the red potatoes hold their shape making the chowder chunky.

makes about 2 1/2 quarts

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
3 stalks of celery, chopped
5 cups of clam juice
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1 large russet potato, unpeeled and diced
3 red potatoes, unpeeled and diced
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup half and half
3 cans (6.5 ounces each) chopped clams
6 large dinner rolls, hollowed out, reserve bread for dipping in the chowder

In a large stock pot over medium high heat add the butter, olive oil, onions, and celery. Saute for 8 - 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the clam juice, thyme, and Old Bay seasoning and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and add the potatoes. Cook for 15 - 20 minutes or until the potatoes are just tender.

Whisk the flour into the half and half and slowly whisk into the stock pot. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Add the clams and continue cooking until just heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes. Serve in individual bread bowls.