MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
 
      Title: Monterey Clam Chowder
 Categories: Soup, Crockpot, Main dish
      Yield: 1 Servings
 
      1    Carrot; diced
      1 md Onion; diced
      1    Potato; diced
      1    Celery rib; diced
    1/2 lb Bacon; minced
    1/4 lb Butter
      3 cl Fresh garlic; minced
    1/2 qt Clam juice
  1 1/2 c  Flour
      2 c  Milk
      2 c  Heavy whipping cream
      2 c  Half-and-half
    1/2 ts Black pepper
    1/2 lb Chopped clams (fresh, frozen
           -or canned)
    1/2 ts Clam base (optional,
           -available in most gourmet
           -shops)
 
  Place vegetables, bacon and butter in a 5 quart sauce pot.
  Saute over medium heat until vegetables are tender.  Be careful
  not to brown or scorch.
  
  When vegetables are tender, add flour to make a roux.  Cook for
  two minutes, allowing flour to cook while stirring occasionally.
  
  Add clam juice and dairy products.  Stir by using a wire whip.
  
  Add fresh garlic, black pepper, chopped clams and clam base. Cook over
  low-medium heat stirring occasionally to prevent chowder from
  scorching.  Cook for two hours or until chowder is brought to desired
  thickness.
  
  If a crockpot, or small steam kettle is available, it is recommended.
  Also, clam juice can be added to thin chowder down if it gets too
  thick.
  
  Note: This soup is the BEST clam chowder I have ever tasted!  It is
  thick and very rich and fattening! I didn't use the clam base since I
  don't even know what that is.  Also, I didn't need to simmer it as
  long as suggested.  I cooked it for about 1 1/2 hours.  The chowder
  needs to be stirred OFTEN, probably about every 5-10 minutes or so or
  it will stick to the bottom of the pot.  Also, I one-and-one-halved
  times'd it, using about 3 lbs. of chopped clams instead of the
  recommended amount.  I also served it with the little soup "clam"
  crackers. It made about 5 quarts this way.  Deb C.
  
  [ Fisherman's Grotto Restaurant in Monterey, CA. ]
  Posted by:  Shelley Rodgers - Cooking Echo
 
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