Quick Dinner: New England Clam Chowder

As promised, a quick and easy dinner! I debated posting the sheet pan Teriyaki-glazed Salmon recipe, but honestly it wasn't our absolute favorite so... I'm sharing one we DO love! My whole family loved this, even my husband who is iffy about fish & seafood, and my preschooler who can be particular with food.

We have started a tradition of doing a homemade soup & homemade bread every Wednesday for dinner, and we have loved trying out new soups! I'm not the biggest fan of soups, so it's been great finding some that we really enjoy!

This soup isn't fishy if you ask me, just clammy in a delicious way, and creamy and comforting. Definitely cook all the bacon cause you'll need it!

You can print the googledoc recipe here, or continue reading for the recipe in this post.

New England Clam Chowder

Equipment needed:

• 4- to 6-qt. pot

• Cutting Board

• Peeler

• Large knife

• Measuring cup

• Spoon or spatula

• Potato masher

• Plate

• Paper towels
  

Ingredients:  

              

• 4 6.5-oz cans minced clams, undrained

• 1 8 oz bottle clam juice

• 18 slices uncooked bacon, cut into pieces

• 1 cup diced onion

• 1 cup diced celery

• 4 cups peeled & diced potatoes

• ½ - ¾  tsp. dried thyme or 1 tsp. fresh thyme

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 2 cups half-and-half
  

Directions:

1. Measure 3 cups of clam juice from the minced clams & the bottled clam juice (between the bottle & cans I usually have just enough!)

2. Cook the bacon in the pot over medium heat until crisp. Leaving 1-2 Tbsp. bacon grease in the pot, place the bacon pieces on a paper towel to dry.

3. Cook the onions and celery in the bacon grease for 5 minutes or until soft. Stir occasionally.

4. Add the clam juice, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Roll the dried thyme between your palms to crush, then add.

5. Bring pot to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Allow to simmer uncovered until potatoes are soft, about 10-15 minutes.

6. Use potato masher to mash up potatoes until the soup is your desired consistency. I like them almost completely mashed.

7. Add clams., return to boiling, then recluse heat to medium-low and cook 1 minute. 

8. Stir in half-and-half.

9. Serve with bacon sprinkled on top!