BEST BOSTON CLAM CHOWDER RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Remove and set aside the tough muscle of each clam. Reserve both the muscle and the softer body portions. Chop the muscles as finely as possible or puree them in a food processor, leaving the meat a bit coarse but fine. There should be about one and one-quarter cups.
• Cut the salt pork into very fine dice. Put the dice into a kettle and cook, stirring often, until they are rendered of fat and are slightly crisp. Add half of the butter.
• Add the onions and cook, stirring, until they are wilted. Sprinkle with flour and stir. Add the clam broth and water, stirring vigorously with a wire whisk. Add the chopped clam muscles and cubed potatoes. Bring to the boil and simmer 20 to 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
• Finely chop the soft body portions of the clams or chop them using a food processor. Add this to the chowder and continue cooking five minutes. Stir in the milk, cream, salt and pepper. Bring to the simmer and swirl in the remaining one tablespoon of butter. Serve immediately. Serve, if desired, with common crackers or pilot crackers.

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, water, clam juice, bouillon, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes., In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes., Stir in clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil). Crumble the cooked bacon; sprinkle over each serving.