lauttimur.com - Clam chowder is a type of soup that typically contains clams, potatoes, onions, and milk or cream. The soup can be made in different styles, but the most popular ones are New England-style and Manhattan-style.
If using fresh clams, rinse them thoroughly and place them in a large pot with 2 cups of water and a bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the clams have opened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the clams from the pot, discard any that didn't open, and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any sand or grit. Reserve the clam broth.
If using canned clams, skip step 1 and simply drain the clams and reserve the juice.
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
Add the diced onion and celery to the pot and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
Add the diced potatoes and reserved clam broth to the pot, along with enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or two. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Remove about half of the cooked potatoes from the pot and mash them with a fork or potato masher. Return the mashed potatoes to the pot and stir well
Add the milk, cream, and reserved clams to the pot and heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Ladle the chowder into bowls and sprinkle with the reserved bacon. Serve with oyster crackers, if desired.