Manhattan Clam Chowder, from pantry and fridge

Crushed thyme, golden brown bacon and dry white help flavor this delicious chowder. It is full of vegetables, a complete meal. Add some crackers or bread and fresh fruit, dinner is complete.

The weather is changing, but it is still a very cold beginning to Spring! But I am ready for a bowl of something a tad bit lighter in content, yet hot and steaming, this chowder will do the trick. This is also a great recipe because you could make this at any time, the ingredients are readily kept in most well stocked kitchens. This cook also be prepared up to adding the clams, chill, then finish when you get home for a super speedy meal.

Manhattan Clam Chowder

adapted from: What to Cook, when you think there is nothing in the house to eat!
by:  Arthur Schwartz
Serves 3-4
see below for update: a cooks wisdom

2 slices bacon - diced small
1 c diced carrots
1 c diced celery
1 c diced onions
2 c diced potatoes
1 - 28 oz can Italian plum tomatoes, reserve juices, chopped
1 c clam juice, water or chicken broth (not bouillon - too salty) - I used 1/2 c water and 1/2 c dry white wine
1/2 t dried thyme
scant 1/2 t garlic salt
fresh ground pepper
2 - 6 oz cans chopped clams, do not drain

In a medium sized saucepan fry bacon until golden brown, remove to drain, reserve the bacon fat. Add the diced carrots, celery and onion to the saucepan.

Saute over medium heat until tender about 10 minutes.

Add potatoes, mix well and continue to cook for another 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes along with the juice, clam juice or chosen liquid, thyme, garlic salt and a few grinds of pepper.

Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer 15 minutes. Add the clams and the juice along with the reserved bacon, heat until pipping hot. Serve with oyster crackers or biscuits.

a cooks wisdom:  increase clams to 3 cans, increase bacon to 4 pieces, drain 1/2 fat before sauteing vegetables, do not use any water - use 100% of any liquid chosen, increase simmer time to 45 minutes.
Serves 4. Now you have a flavorful dinner!

Here is a preview of the new button, for Cookbook Sundays@Mom's Sunday Cafe. I alas was unable to complete this project without the assistance of my son, a huge thanks goes to him for his help! And I love this button, this is a photo from my collection of cook books.

With this task cone, it looks like we are in "go" mode, for the first Cookbook Sunday on April 3, 2011. I hope to see you there!

As always, thanks for taking a moment to stop and say hello.
I appreciate your time and your comments.

This post is shared with:
hearth n soul @ a moderate life
blue Monday @ smiling sally's

key words:  pantry meals, chowder, easy meals, soup.