It's chilly out, time for Chowder!

I love clam chowder, it is always available on Fridays anywhere in this town (Vegas Baby!)
Some are good, some are better, you just find the one that is right for you and it is always on the soup menu!
I always thought it was hard to make so I never attempted it, until now. Gotta thank pinterest for this one, not sure which blog to give credit to as I went to so many before printing one out and then could not find the source again! Ugh! It is so easy to get lost in the Internet!

Give this one a try, was a quick easy dinner, I served it with sourdough rolls, gotta have sourdough with clam chowder! Oh and a glass of Riesling. Next time I am going to serve some shrimp cocktails with it as well.

INGREDIENTS:

• 8-10 bacon strips, divided
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 celery pieces, chopped
• 1 leek, finely chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3-4 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup broth
• 1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups fat-free half-and-half, divided
• 3 cans (6-1/2 ounces each) of whole clams, undrained, chop into chunky pieces
• Bay leaf
• Chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish

1. In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. In the butter, saute celery, leek, onion in the drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, broth, clam juice, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

2. In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into the soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.

3. Stir in clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil); turn down to low heat; add the bay leaf. Add 4 strips of bacon (crumbled).

4. Crumble the reserved 2 strips of bacon. Garnish chowder with crumbled bacon and fresh chopped chives.