New England Clam Chowder

Try this chunky, creamy New England clam chowder featuring bacon, milk, and of course, clams.

This chunky chowder actually finds its origins in Europe. In fact, chowder derives from the French word for cauldron. From there, clam chowder made its way across the Atlantic to Nova Scotia, and from there, to New England. And now you know the story of New England Clam Chowder.

Manhattan Clam Chowder, on the other hand, replaces the milk with tomatoes. Despite the name, this change likely came from the Portuguese in Rhode Island since tomatoes and seafood is a common combo. But, don't confuse the two, especially not in Maine. Not only do they shun tomatoes in clam chowder, in 1939, they declared tomatoes in clam chowder illegal!

New England clam chowder - it's one of our favorites, and I'd always just assumed it too complicated for making at home. I'm not sure why, especially since I'd made Salmon Chowder before. Either way, I'm happy to report - you most certainly CAN make some tasty New England Clam Chowder at home. In fact, you can do it in 30 minutes and have a better tasting chowder than store bought!

What's your favorite version of Clam Chowder?

New England Clam Chowder

by CJ Huang

Try this chunky, creamy New England clam chowder featuring bacon, milk, and of course, clams.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Materials:

Mass	Weight	Volume	Number	Material	Notes
			1 strip	bacon, crumbled	or bacon bits
	6.5 ounces			clam meat
			2 stalks	celery, diced
			2	potatoes, cubed
			2	carrots, coined
			1	onion, diced
		1/4 cup		butter
		1/4 cup		flour
		2 cups		milk	I used whole.

Methods:

1. Gather all materials.
2. Melt butter and add celery, carrots, and onions, cooking until onions translucent and fragrant.
3. Whisk in flour, cooking until golden.
4. Stir in milk and juices from clams until smooth.
5. Add in clams and bacon. Chowder is ready when clams are done.

Shared with: Wednesday Showcase, Wonderful Wednesday, What's Cookin' Wednesday, #recipeoftheweek, Happiness is Homemade, Over the Moon, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, What'd You Do This Weekend?