Clam Chowder

A couple of weeks ago I decided to try making homemade clam chowder for the first time.  I never wanted to make it myself because I had it in my head that it would be too hard and involved.  Little did I know, it is so simple.  This recipe it fairly fast and so delicious.  When I tasted the broth, I was blown away with how flavorful it was.  And it wasn't just me, Shad was amazed too.  Seriously, this recipe is so worth the moderate amount of work, I will never buy canned chowder again!

 You will need:

2 cans of clams with the juice

6 slices of bacon sliced in 1/2 inch pieces

about 4 medium potatoes peeled and chopped in bite size pieces

1 medium onion chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons of chicken bullion granules

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 loaf sour dough bread (for the croutons)

 cook the bacon in a soup pot until it is crispy

 Open both cans of clams and drain the juice into a bowl

I am not a fan of huge pieces of clam, so I cut the pieces even smaller but you don't have to

You should have about a cup of clam juice

If it is below 1 cup you can add a little water to make it 1 cup

 When the bacon is crisp, remove it from the pan onto a paper towel

This is very important:  Set the bacon pieces very, very far away from your cooking area, otherwise there won't be any left for dinner because you will eat it all!

  Remove most of the bacon fat, except about this much

Cook the chopped onion in the bacon fat until it is translucent

 When he onion is done add:

the clam juice

Worcestershire sauce

pepper

chicken bullion

Bring to a boil, cover and keep at a simmer until the potatoes are tender

I appear to have missed a step in picture, so I'll just tell you:

When the potatoes are tender, smoosh them a little with the back of your spoon, then add the clams

Next mix the milk, half-and-half and the flour, removing any lumps, and add it to the pot

Bring it back to a boil and let is simmer until it is thick and yummy, stirring occasionally

Make sure you taste the broth at this point, it may need some salt and more pepper

When I am ready to serve it, I throw 2 tablespoons of real butter into the pot, it just makes it even yummier!

 For some delicious croutons, cut the bread into bite size cubes and place on a bake sheet

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper

Bake at 350 degrees until they are golden brown

I, personally, am not a fan of store bought croutons, but these are so good, you won't be disappointed

 Serve the chowder with the bacon, some shredded cheese and the croutons

Enjoy!