Dad's Clam Chowder

Since today is officially the "first day of Winter" I thought I'd share one of my FAVORITE things to eat! It's my first "food" recipe, all of my others have been desserts. Let's just say, I like baking better than cooking.. My dad says it's the OCD coming out in me :p

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know I don't eat seafood. At all. This is the one exception to that! I love clam chowder. But are you ready for the "I'm so picky" part? My dad's clam chowder is the only one I like.. I've tried it at restaurants, but none of them even come close to Dad's! Maybe it's because of his secret ingredient.. and today, he's given me permission to share it! The secret? Sugar! Yep :) 

Ingredients: 

- 1 cup onion, chopped

- 1 cup celery, chopped

- 2 cup potatos, chopped

- 2 (6 oz) minced clams

- 3/4 cup flour

- 3/4 cup butter

- 1 quart Half and Half

- 1 Tablespoon Sugar

- Salt and Pepper to taste

For the onion, celery, and potatoes, you can cut them up however small you'd like.. 

It's all just about how you'd like to eat them ;) 

Directions: 

(pictures below!)

Veggie Mix

1. Peel the potatoes

2. Chop the potatoes, onion, and celery

3. Pour veggies into a large saucepan

4. Open cans of clams and pour the juices over the vegetables

5. Fill saucepan with enough water to just cover the veggies

6. Place on high and let it come to a boil.

7. Turn down to medium-high and leave it there for about 15-20 minutes, without a lid

Chowder "Paste"

1. In a separate pot, melt butter on high (We used a dutch oven, but a pot would work too!)

2. Pour flour into melted butter and combine 

3. Quickly pour in the half and half, and combine

      It will thicken as you stir it.. continue to stir it slowly until it's about the thickness of pancake batter.

      Be careful not stop stirring for very long, or it will start to stick to the bottom

      If it seems too thick, that's how it should be, it will get thinner once you add the veggies with the water! 

4. Once it's reached the right thickness, remove from heat

To Finish the Chowder: 

1. Pour veggie mix into the chowder paste

2. Add clams, and mix them in

3. Add sugar and mix well

4. Add salt and pepper to taste

It is soooo good, I love it :) And yes, I will be eating leftovers of this tonight! :)

I hope everyone has a very very Merry Christmas!

(text only)

Items needed:

- 1 cup onion, chopped

- 1 cup celery, chopped

- 2 cup potatos, chopped

- 3/4 cup flour

- 3/4 cup butter

- 1 quart Half and Half

- 1 Tablespoon Sugar

- Salt and Pepper to taste

Veggie Mix:

1. Peel the potatoes 2. Chop the potatoes, onion, and celery 3. Pour veggies into a large saucepan 4. Open cans of clams and pour the juices over the vegetables 5. Fill saucepan with enough water to just cover the veggies 6. Place on high and let it come to a boil. 7. Turn down to medium-high and leave it there for about 15-20 minutes, without a lid

Chowder "Paste":

1. In a separate pot, melt butter on high (We used a dutch oven, but a pot would work too!) 2. Pour flour into melted butter and combine  3. Quickly pour in the half and half, and combine  4. Once it's reached the right thickness, remove from heat

Complete: 

1. Pour veggie mix into the chowder paste 2. Add clams, and mix them in 3. Add sugar and mix well 4. Add salt and pepper to taste