New England Style Clam Chowder

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I absolutely adore New England clam chowder.  I have to admit, I have never had a Manhatten style that I like.  I still have hope, though because it’s been decades since I tried the latter style.  I am always swayed by the cream in the former.  Who can resist heavy cream? I have nothing against grabbing a can of Progresso clam chowder in a pinch (thanks Progresso, by the way,  for labeling your soups in big letters if they are gluten free!), but I’d much rather have homemade.  It doesn’t take more than half an hour from start to finish and it is made as many vegetables as you desire.  I like carrots in soup, so I try to put them in whenever they fit.

The October/November issue of Fine Cooking featured New England, Manhatten and Rhode Island clam chowders.  I will admit right now that I didn’t know that Rhode Island had their own version.  After reading, I discovered that Rhode Island is basically New England without the cream.  It has a clear broth base.  I am sure it’s good, but 9 times out of 10, I will go for the fattening, creamy New England style.  If you are watching  fat intake, you can use canned evaporated milk or light half and half instead.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Print New England Style Clam Chowder Author: adapted from Fine Cooking magazine  

Ingredients

• ¼ pound bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 cup chopped peeled carrots
• 2 small cans chopped clams with juice
• 32 oz chicken broth
• 2 pounds red potatoes, cut into ½ inch pieces
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp curry powder (optional)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a 5 quart pot, cook the bacon.
2. If there is a lot of fat, drain until you have about 2 Tbsp left in the pan.
3. Add the onion, celery and carrots.
4. Saute until soft.
5. Add the clams with juice, chicken broth, potatoes, bay leaf, thyme and curry powder.
6. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a slow boil.
7. After about 12 minutes, add the cream and bring back to a boil (uncovered).
8. Remove heat, season with salt and pepper, remove the bay leaves and serve.
9. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Notes I had precooked bacon crumbles and a jar of bacon fat in my fridge, so I used that instead of cooking up the strips of bacon fresh.

3.1.09