New England Clam Chowder

Ingredients

• 2 slices bacon minced
• 1  bay leaves 
• 4 servings pepper black freshly ground to taste
• 2 cups bottled clam juice 
• 1.3  clams canned minced
• 6 tablespoons sherry dry to taste
• 2 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 3 cups half and half 
• 1  onion diced
• 1 pound potatoes diced peeled
• 4 servings salt to taste
• 4 servings saltines as needed
• 4 servings all the tabasco sauce you handle to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon thyme leaves chopped
• 4 servings worcestershire sauce to taste

Equipment

• bowl
• sauce pan
• whisk
• pot
• wooden spoon

Directions

1. Drain the clam juice from the minced clams and combine with enough bottled juice to equal 3 cups of liquid.
2. Cook the bacon slowly in a soup pot over medium heat until lightly crisp, about 8 minutes.
3. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 2-3 minutes.
5. Whisk in the clam juice, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The liquid should be the consistency of heavy cream. If it is too thick, add more clam juice to adjust the consistency.
6. Add the bay leaf and fresh thyme.
7. Add the potatoes and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes.
8. Meanwhile, place the clams and cream in saucepan and simmer together until the clams are cooked, about 5-8 minutes.
9. When the potatoes are tender, add the clams and cream to the soup base. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
10. Stir in the sherry. Season to taste with salt, pepper, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce.
11. Serve in bowls with the crackers on the side.
12. From Gourmet Meals in Minutes by The Culinary Institute of America, © 2004 Lebhar-Friedman Books