SOUTHERN CLAM CHOWDER RECIPES

Steps:

• Drain clams, reserving up to 2 cups of clam juice. If needed, add enough water to clam juice to make 2 cups.
• Add diced bacon to the Instant Pot. Using the display panel select the SAUTE function.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered, but the bacon is not crispy.
• Add onion, butter, thyme and celery seed or celery. Deglaze by using a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pot, then saute until onion is soft, 3-4 minutes.
• Add garlic, salt and pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
• Add clam juice and potatoes and stir to combine.
• Turn the pot off by selecting CANCEL, then secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed.
• Using the display panel select the MANUAL function*. Use the +/- keys and program the Instant Pot for 4 minutes.
• When the time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 4 minutes, then quick-release the remaining pressure.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove about half the potatoes to a bowl and set aside. Remove thyme sprigs and discard.
• Use an immersion blender to process soup mixture until smooth. Return reserved potatoes to the pot along with the clams and half and half.
• Cook and stir on the WARM function until chowder is heated through. (Switch to the SAUTE function if needed, but do not boil.)
• Garnish with snipped chives

Steps:

• Put the clams in a large, heavy Dutch oven, add about 4 cups water, then set over medium-high heat. Cover, and cook until clams have opened, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. (Clams that fail to open after 15 to 20 minutes should be discarded.) Strain clam broth through a sieve lined with cheesecloth or doubled-up paper towels, and set aside. Remove clams from shells, and set those aside as well.
• Rinse out the pot, and return it to the stove. Add butter, and turn heat to medium-low. Add the bacon or salt pork, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the pork has started to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove pork from fat, and set aside.
• Add onions and celery to the fat, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in potatoes and wine, and continue cooking until the wine has evaporated and the potatoes have just started to soften, approximately 5 minutes. Add 4 cups of clam broth, reserving the rest for another use. Add the thyme and the bay leaf.
• Partly cover the pot, and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the clams into bits that are about the size of the bacon dice.
• When the potatoes are tender, stir in the chopped clams and reserved bacon. Add black pepper to taste. Let the chowder come just to a simmer, and remove from heat. Fish out the thyme and bay leaf, and discard.
• The chowder should be allowed to sit for a while to cure. Reheat it before serving, then garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with oyster crackers.