Homemade Clam Chowder - Rachael Ray

Chef Sweet Sal's Note:

Forget that canned stuff! This is so easy and you will want to make it again and again. This is from Rachael Ray, and I think it is one of her best! You can lower the fat content by nixing the bacon and using veggie oil. You can also use less half and half, and more broth or milk. (I prefer it with less half and half than called for) Perfect on a cold day! Enjoy!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 slices thick cut bacon , chopped
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 2 stalks celery & leaves , chopped
• 2 carrots , chopped into small pieces
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• salt and pepper
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce , eyeball it
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 pint half-and-half
• 3 cups chicken stock , from soup aisle
• 1 cup raw hash brown potatoes , from dairy aisle of the market
• 2 (10 ounce) cans baby clams , and their juice

Directions:

1. In a medium pot over medium high heat melt butter. Add bacon, onions, celery, carrot, and thyme sprigs. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce and cook 5 minutes. Add flour and cook a minute more.
2. Add half-and-half and stock and bring to a bubble, then stir in potatoes and clams. Bring soup back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, until potatoes are cooked and soup has thickened to coat the back of a spoon.
3. Remove the thyme sprigs from the soup. The thyme leaves will have fallen off into the soup. Stir and adjust seasonings in your soup. Pour soup into mugs. Top with shredded cheese or green onions if desired.

Reviews

[ohnogodzilla]

Holy clam chowder Batgirl! This was by far the best freakin', easy 2make, clam chowder that has EVER passed my teeth and gums! People will b crazeeeee if they pass this 1up! Thanx 4posting it!,

[MathMom.calif]

Tried this...yes, it was easy. Made it with my 9-year-old daughter. But it didn't seem to have much flavor. Needed more seasonings or something. I did use low-sodium broth and didn't add much salt, but lots of salt shouldn't be necessary for flavor...I also added only about half the hot sauce, since my family doesn't care for that particular seasoning much... I'm disinclined to make it again. It didn't come out thick the way I like...I suppose it needed more flour for that. I'd rather try a different recipe next time, although this was OK, just not great. My daughter liked it, and son didn't complain. Hubby agreed with me that it was lacking somethingorother. It made a lot more than 4 servings for my family...more like 8.

[Bev. E.]

This wonderful clam chowder. The recipe is very easy to follow. My DH and really like chowder and this recipe is now our favorite. Thanks for sharing.