Hearty Clam Chowder

== Description ==
Source: Christmas With Southern Living 2003 - Southern Living
Warm up with a bowlful of this rich chowder loaded with clams and brimming chunks of potato.
== Ingredients ==
* 4 bacon slices, chopped
* 3 celery ribs, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
* 4 (6 1/2-ounce) cans minced clams, undrained
* 2 (8-ounces) bottles clam juice
* 1 1/2 cups water
* 1 sprig fresh thyme
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
* Garnish: fresh thyme
== Directions ==
# Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until almost crisp.
# Add celery, carrot, and onion; cook 5 minutes, stirring often.
# Stir in potato and next 6 ingredients.
# Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.
# Whisk together milk and flour until smooth.
# Stir into chowder; simmer 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring often.
# Remove thyme sprig before serving.
# If desired, serve chowder in sourdough bread bowls.
# Garnish, if desired.
Yield: 10 1/2 cups
Category:Soup Recipes
Category:Chowder Recipes
Category:Bacon Recipes
Category:Celery Recipes
Category:Carrot Recipes
Category:Onion Recipes
Category:Potato Recipes
Category:Russet potato Recipes
Category:Clam Recipes
Category:Clam juice Recipes
Category:Water Recipes
Category:Thyme Recipes
Category:Salt Recipes
Category:Pepper Recipes
Category:Milk and cream Recipes
Category:Flour Recipes
Category:Christmas Main Dishes
Category:Main Dish Seafood Recipes
Category:Main Dish Recipes
Category:Seafood Recipes
Category:Seafood Soup Recipes
Category:Milk Recipes
Category:American Meat Dishes
Category:American Main Dishes
Category:American Recipes
Category:Southern Recipes
Category:Southern Meat Dishes
Category:Southern Main Dishes