Creamy Cheesy Clam Chowder

Rita~'s Note:

Not for those on a diet! Rich and creamy with a slight smoky flavor! Serve with crisp French bread and a fresh green salad.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 4 lbs littleneck clams
• 1 cup white wine or 1 cup water
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 slice bacon , chopped into small pieces
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 2 stalks celery , minced
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 cup carrot , diced finely
• ¼ cup flour
• 4 cups clam juice (from steaming clams and bottled juice)
• 1 (8 ounce) can baby clams
• 1 cup light cream
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 medium potatoes , boiled, peeled, and diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• hot pepper sauce
• scallion , thinly sliced (to garnish)

Directions:

1. Steam clams open in a cup of wine in a heavy pot.
2. Remove from pot and cool.
3. Remove clams from shells.
4. Rinse the clams well.
5. Strain clam broth through a mesh screen or cheesecloth.
6. Add strained broth, broth from canned baby clams, and enough bottled clam juice or water to equal 4 cups.
7. Set aside.
8. In a heavy pot over MEDIUM heat,cook bacon pieces till crisp add butter melt and cook the onion,celery, carrots, and garlic until translucent.
9. Slowly stir in the flour and cook for two minutes, stirring well.
10. Add reserved clam juices to the sauté mixture.
11. Bring to a boil; whisking thoroughly to break up any lumps, and then reduce heat.
12. Add creams and simmer 20 minutes.
13. Add white pepper, thyme, potatoes, peas, and steamed clams& the can of baby clams.
14. Add cheese till melted through.
15. Do not allow to boil as this will toughen the clams.
16. Season with salt and hot pepper sauce to taste.
17. Garnish with scallions.

Reviews

[ThinOne]

I'm trying to clear out the cupboards this week of my little odds and ends. I don't have enough of any one thing to make my usual meals, so i thought I'd take this opportunity to be creative. Your recipe is perfect for my panty scraps. I have 4 cheese boxed potatoes, chopped clams, clam juice and everything except carrots. I am going to use your recipe as a base to a boxed soup. Love your ingredients, though and will definitely make the real thing later. Thanks for the creative spurt.

[chia]

this is a nice flavored chowder, not as heavy as it looks.the clams here were sold individually, so i bought 30, not sure of the weight. i used 4 slices of bacon, and half & half instead of light cream.i also used 2 c of cheese to thicken it a bit, and garnished with chives