Clam Chowder

This easy, New England-style chowder is my Grandma Verna's recipe, who passed away a few years ago, and I always think of her whenever I make it. When we went to Boston as a family back in November, we walked FOREVER to get to this restaurant that supposedly had amazing clam chowder. Jeremy took one bite and said, "This doesn't come close to Grandma's." I think it's the curry powder that makes the difference...

Grandma Verna's Clam Chowder

1/2 C diced onion

1/2 C diced celery

butter

1 8-oz. can minced clams

4 C chicken broth

1 C diced, peeled potato (peeling is optional)

1/2 C flour

1 C milk

1 C half-and-half

Dash each of thyme, salt, pepper, & curry powder

In a large saucepan, saute onion and celery in 2 TB melted butter until transparent. Add liquid from clams, chicken broth and potatoes; simmer until potatoes are tender. In a separate pan, melt 1/4 C butter and stir in flour until smooth (this is called a roux)--do not brown. Gently stir butter mixture into soup. Add chopped clams, milk, and half-and-half. Stir gently until thickened, then add thyme, salt, pepper and curry powder. Makes about 6 servings.

**This recipe is great on its own, but also lends itself well to chives, bacon bits, oyster crackers--whatever you like on your chowda...