The Go-To Motto is: Practice Makes Automatic! This clam chowder is worth practicing, let me tell you. It’s creamy smooth. The roux is made by a fool proof method and produces a chowder that is perfection!
Go-To Clam Chowder
8 cups potatoes, 1/2″ dice
3 cups celery, 1/2″ dice
3 cups onion, 1/2″ dice
2 cups green pepper, 1/2″ dice
3 cans minced clams, 6.5 oz. including juice
2 bottles clam juice
2 cups water
1 tsp. tabasco
2 T. dried thyme
6 bay leaves
2 T. salt and 1 T. pepper
3/4 cups. butter
1 cup flour
2 quarts half and half
chopped parsley
Combine all of the ingredients except butter, flour and half and half, in a large soup pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the veggies are tender. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a cast iron pan or pyrex baking dish, stir in the flour and bake at 325 degrees F. for 30 minutes. This will eliminate the raw flour flavor, forming a roux, and it will be used to thicken the chowder.
Stir this roux into the chowder, stirring until thick. It will be slightly less thick than cookie dough. Remove the chowder from the heat. Stir in the half and half until blended. Heat to serving temperature, stirring frequently so it won’t burn. Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley and serve.
i use minced clams because clams can be tough. I want the flavor so if I can only find chopped clams, I mince them myself. If you have fresh clams, put in the big pieces, wow, they’ll be fabulous!
This recipe was adapted from the one served at the Market Street Grill and the Market Street Broiler in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is a simple, fool-proof way to make roux. I just like more potatoes, onion, green pepper and celery …..so I added more. They make the chowder heartier. Whatever you do, do not leave out the tabasco…..it makes it!
It’s snowing today here in Utah. We already have 18″-20″ of snow on the ground left from the last two storms. It’s a “winter wonderland” day, a perfect day for warm, comforting, satisfying clam chowder…..if not for making, at least for reading about…..bon appetite!