River City (Portland) Clam Chowder

Wow! I loved this clam chowder. I had an issue with the potatoes (see notes after recipe) and after searching for the recipe again I found another blogger with the same issue I had. But I'm sure I will be making this again soon.

River City (that’s Portland) Clam Chowder

From: Your Homebased Mom

8 slices pepper bacon, diced (I use a whole pound) (I used 1lb of normal bacon since that's what I had on hand and added pepper while it was cooking)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 cup celery (2 large stalks), chopped
1/2 cup flour
4 (6 oz.) cans chopped clams or 2 cups fresh clams, shucked

3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup half and half
salt and white pepper (I have used black pepper also, just effects the color of the soup)

In a large pot over medium high heat, cook bacon until browned. Drain grease. Add butter, onions and celery to pot and cook over medium heat until softened and onions are translucent.

Add flour and cook 3 minutes, stir constantly.

Drain clams and reserve liquid in a 1 pint measuring cup. Add enough water to clam liquid to equal 2 cups.

Add this liquid slowly to mixture in pot, stirring constantly. Add potatoes and bring mixture to boil. (**see notes below)Reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add clams, milk and half and half. Heat until thickened, being careful not to boil or burn. Add salt and pepper and serve. (I usually make the day ahead and refrigerate, it gets a little thicker this way)

**After adding the 2 c. of liquid what was left was a really thick consistancy and so there was no liquid to boil the potatoes in. I ended up adding a total of 2-2 1/2 c. water so that there was liquid to boil the potatoes in and to keep everything from burning and sticking to the pot. In doing so my chowder wasn't thick but it still tasted great. Next time I'm going to boil the potatoes in a seperate pot in the clam juice liquid and then add all of it to the pot or I'll cook them in another pot with water and drain and add the potatoes when it's time. Not sure yet. But then I'll be able to control how thick I want the chowder and if it's too thick I'll add water.