Mom's Clam Chowder

I love the smell of this soup cooking. We grew up on this during cold Utah winters.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10-15

Ingredients

• 1  cup potato, diced 1/2 in
• 1  cup celery, diced 1/2 in
• 1  cup onion, diced 1/2 in
• 1  cup green pepper, diced 1/2 in
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped clam
• 3⁄4 tablespoon pepper
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 3⁄4 tablespoon  whole thyme
• 6  bay leaves
• 1  teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 3⁄4 cup sherry wine (optional)
• 2  cups water
• 3⁄4 cup  clam juice
• 3⁄4 cup butter
• 1  cup flour
• 2  quarts half-and-half

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except butter, flour and half and half.
2. Simmer potatoes until throughly cooked.
3. In meantime combine melted butter and flour bake@ 325 for 30 minute Stir the butter/flour mixture into chowder.
4. Stir frequently until thick remove pot from heat.
5. Stir in half and half blend.