BEST OYSTER CHOWDER RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon. Lay the cooked bacon on paper towels and pat off the grease. Cut the bacon into pieces.
• In a 6- to 8-quart Crock-Pot, add the bacon pieces, clams with the juice, onions, celery, potatoes, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Cover the Crock-Pot, and cook on low for 4 hours.
• Pour the half-and-half into a medium heat-safe bowl. Add two or three ladles of soup to the half-and-half to warm it up, and then return the entire contents of the bowl to the Crock-Pot.
• Add butter to the chowder. Cover the Crock-Pot and cook for 1 more hour.
• Serve hot, with oyster crackers, if desired.

Steps:

• Bring potatoes and clam juice to a boil. Cook until potatoes are done. Add the clams, along with any surplus juice. Cook until tender, careful not to overcook and toughen the clams. Set aside.
• Skin the salt pork, dice it, and saute in a pan. Cook until rendered. Add onions and saute until translucent. Add butter, melt, and cook slightly. Add flour. If mixture is too loose, add a little more flour. Cook until slightly colored.
• Bring clams, juice and potatoes back to boil. Add cooked flour and salt pork mixture. Sauce will thicken, so stir often. Bring to a rolling boil. Add previously heated half-and-half to desired consistency. Season, to taste, with salt, pepper, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Serve with Oyster or Pilot crackers.