I used Canned clams, just drain and keep the juice. It was killer. I doubled the recipe. For soup making, learn the basics. Learn how to make a rue, and you are money. I have an old beer and cheese soup recipe... I will have to find it, sooo good. There is a mock clam chowder also. Real good with chicken, or even turkey. Just make sure you get good clams, nothing is worse than rubbery or sandy clams. I just noticed the first recipe says 2 large potatos, I would double it. and cut them in moon shapes...

New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients
1 quart shucked clams (add water if too dry)
1/3 pound salt pork
1 large onion, minced
2 ribs celery, minced
2 large potatoes, diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 quart of milk, scalded (may use half cream for thicker soup)
1/2 cup of butter
1/4 cup of flour
Salt and pepper
Drain and chop clams, reserving liquid (may substitute 5-pound can chopped clams). Fry salt pork in a heavy pan until all fat is rendered; add onions and celery and brown lightly. Add butter; melt. Blend in flour and stir constantly for 5 minutes. Add clams, potatoes, clam liquid, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook until the potatoes are tender. If desired, add fish and/or shellfish to make seafood chowder.

Serves: 4



Mock Clam Chowder

This chicken chowder is made with clam juice and chicken, along with milk and corn. A great chowder for people who like the taste of clam chowder, but don't like the texture of clams.
INGREDIENTS:

1 pound bacon, diced
1/4 pound ham
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups diced celery
2 cups diced carrots
4 cups diced potatoes
2 cups cooked, diced chicken (or turkey) meat
4 cups chicken broth
2 bottles clam juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 can whole kernel corn with liquid
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups milk
3/4 cup flour
4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or jack)
1/2 pint whipping cream (not whipped)
2 tablespoons parsley
PREPARATION:

In large skillet saute bacon, ham, onions, and celery until bacon is crisp and onions and celery are limp. Add salt and pepper. Put contents of skillet along with potatoes, carrots, chicken, broth, clam juice, and corn into slow cooker, cover, and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or high 3 to 4 hours. Whisk flour into milk, and add to pot along with cheese, whipping cream, and parsley and cook one more hour on high.