Creamy Clam Chowder

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 2 medium size carrots, thinly sliced
• 2 medium celery ribs, thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced and pressed
• 1 1/2 lbs red potatoes, cut in 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 (8 ounce) bottles clam juice
• 8 (6 1/2 ounce) cans chopped clams
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 4 cups whipping cream (half & half)
• salt

Recipe

• 1 in a 6 to 8 quart pan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp,.
• 2 remove from pan & drain. set aside, discard all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings.
• 3 add carrots, celery, onion, bell pepper and garlic to drippings, cook until onions are tender.
• 4 add potatoes and vegetables to mixture along with the clam juice. bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. stir in clams w/ liquid, bay leaf, hot pepper seasoning, pepper, worcestershire sauce, thyme, cream and bacon. heat until steaming, season with salt.
• 5 serve with oyster crackers.