Browny's Clam Chowder

By jeaninemg

Ingredients

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 C chopped onion
• 1/2 C each chopped celery and carrots
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 4 strips bacon, chopped
• 1/4 C flour
• 3 C low fat milk
• 1 1/2 # red thin-skinned potatoes cut into 1" cubes
• 4 cans (6.5 oz) cans chopped clams, drained
• 2 bottles (8 oz) of clam juice
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 C half and half

Preparation

Step 1

Cook onion, celery, carrot, and garlic until softened (5 min.). Transfer to plate. Cook bacon until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Discard all but 1 tsp. drippings. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly about 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Add potatoes, clams, clam juice, salt and pepper, and reserved vegetables.

Simmer until potatoes are tender (about 25 min). Add thyme and half and half. Sprinkle with bacon.