Classic Clam Chowder

Description

Give leftover mashed potatoes a second life: Make a pot of clam chowder.

Ingredients

  • 2 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into small dice
  • 1 large onion, cut into medium dice
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 ½ cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2 (8 ounce) bottles clam juice
  • 4 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams (clams and juice separated)
  • 1 cup water
  • 9 new potatoes, cut into 1/2 -inch cubes
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large soup kettle
  2. fry bacon over medium heat until bacon crisps
  3. about 5 minutes. Remove bacon; set aside.
  4. Keep 2 tablespoons bacon fat in pan. (If necessary
  5. add oil to yield 2 tablespoons.) Add onion and saute until soft
  6. about 5 minutes. Add thyme and bay leaves; cook until fragrant
  7. 30 seconds or so.
  8. Whisk in mashed potatoes
  9. clam juice (bottled and what you’ve drained from the clams) and 1 cup of water. Add new potatoes and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat; continue to simmer
  10. partially covered
  11. until potatoes are tender
  12. about 10 minutes. Stir in clams
  13. cream and parsley; season with salt and pepper.
  14. Heat through and serve
  15. garnishing each bowl with reserved bacon.

Servings: 8

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