Ivar's Clam Chowder

I've had this recipe for three years. If I remember right the person who gave it to me said it came from a newspaper article from Seattle Washington. I love this recipe. Just be careful not to make this when you're really tired. Worst cooking disaster was misreading 1/2 tea sugar for 1/2 cup. Talk about yuck! Cooking and prep time is just a guess. It's been a good year since I made this last.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 1 pot

Ingredients

• 2 (6 1/2ounce) cans minced clams
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion
• 1  cup  finely diced celery
• 2  cups  finely diced potatoes
• 3⁄4 cup butter or 3⁄4 cup margarine
• 3⁄4 cup flour
• 4  cups half-and-half, warmed
• 1  teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1  dash pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, drain the juice from the clams; set the clams aside.
2. Combine clam juice with the onions, celery and potatoes.
3. Add enough water to barely cover and simmer, covered, over medium heat until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
4. In a large saucepan, melt the butter.
5. Add flour and stir in to the butter.
6. Slowly whisk in the warm half-and-half.
7. Cook and whisk until smooth and thick, about 5 minutes.
8. If you want a thinner chowder, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup water or clam broth.
9. Add the vegetables with their cooking liquid, clams, salt, pepper and sugar to the pan.
10. Stir well and adjust the seasonings if necessary.