Winter Favorite: Classic New England Clam Chowder Recipe

Entry #3274, February 19, 2014

On a snowy winter day, few things offer a better escape from the cold that cooking up comfort food. And, one of the greatest comfort foods is a huge bowl of piping hot soup. This classic take on a New England Clam Chowder recipe is rich and creamy in the best possible way. It can be whipped up in minutes and will warm your family inside and out.

Classic New England Clam Chowder

Classic New England Clam Chowder Recipe

Image Via: Life As A Strawberry

Ingredients:

4 strips bacon

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 large onion

1 large carrot

4 celery stalks

4 medium russet potatoes

2 (6.5 oz) cans of chopped clams in clam juice

½ cup heavy cream

½ cup white wine

Creamy New England Clam Chowder

Image Via: Feral Kitchen

Preparation:

1. Prep your ingredients: Chop the bacon into small bits. Mince the garlic. Finely dice the onion, carrot, and celery. Peel the potatoes and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Separate the clams from their juices and set both aside.
2. Set a large stockpot over medium high heat. Cook the bacon until it becomes crispy. Take the bits out and set them on a paper towel to drain.
3. Remove all but a tablespoon of the bacon fat from the pot. Sauté the carrots and celery in the fat until they start to become tender. Then, add in the onions, garlic and thyme.
4. Once the garlic is fragrant and the onions are translucent, add the wine, reserved clam juice, and potatoes to the pot. Bring the soup to simmer, season everything with salt and pepper, and allow the potatoes to cook for 10-15 minutes or until they are fork tender.
5.  Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the clams and heavy cream, stir to combine, and let everything heat through. If the soup is too thin, add in a tablespoon of flour at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
6. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve warm.

This New England Clam Chowder recipe will serve 4-6, depending on serving size. It should be served with lots of buttery crackers for dipping. Or, consider serving it in bread bowls for an extra decedent twist. This is comfort food at its finest, so don’t be afraid to go all out. Let us know how you enjoy this Winter Favorite: Classic New England Clam Chowder Recipe!

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