Dave's New England Clam Chowder

This recipe was one of the most difficult to get right. I have relatives in New Bedford, MA, and I've had some of the best. So I tried to recreate it to the best of my ability. You be the judge!

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Heat pre cooked bacon in soup pot with olive oil. Remove bacon from pot leaving drippings. Save bacon and crush to add to soup later.

Step 2

Add onions, 1/2 stick of butter, bottled clam juice, clam juice from the canned clams, and garlic and simmer for 5 minutes

Step 3

Add chicken broth, diced potatoes, bacon, and onion soup mix. Bring to medium boil for 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the chopped clams and whole belly clams and cook on medium boil for another 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add heavy cream and half and half.

Step 6

Microwave 1/2 stick of butter, add flour to make rue, and add to soup mixture to thicken.

Step 7

Simmer on low heat for an hour.

Step 8

add salt and pepper to taste