i have been in a soup mood lately. this is my favorite soup recipe. use to have to make it everyday.
ingredients:
* 1 cup of potatoes, diced 1/2 inch
* 1 cup of celery, diced 1/2 inch
* 1 cup of onions, diced 1/2 inch
* 1 cup of green pepper, diced 1/2 inch
* 1 cup chopped clams (canned or fresh)
* 3/4 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
* 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 tablespoon whole thyme
* 6 bay leaves
* 2 teaspoons tabasco
* 3/4 cup sherry wine
* 2 cups water
* 3/4 cup clam juice (drain from can)
* 3/4 cup butter, melted
* 1 cup flour
* 2 quarts half and half
Method:
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except butter, flour, and half and half. Simmer until potatoes are thoroughly cooked.
In the meantime, combine melted butter and flour in a sauce and make a roux. You want this roux to be a light color, resembling sugar cookie dough. This is the thickening agent for the soup, however you could go "asian" and make a corn starch/water slurry...either/or
Remove chowder from heat. Stir in half and half and blend well. Heat to serving temperature, stirring occasionally.