Is it cold where you are?? Yeah- it’s pretty chilly here in North Idaho too. Makes me want to cook up something yummy & hot & curl up in my chair with my favorite blanket & get cozy. One of my all time favorite Easy Family Dinner Ideas to make when it’s cold & blustery outside is clam chowder. But the hubs doesn’t make just your typical New England Clam Chowder – he puts some serious flavor love into it & comes out with this amazing bowl of YUM.
Bacon and Garlic Clam Chowder
Pour it in your bread bowl- you can’t beat it on a cold winter day.
Bacon and Garlic Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon - chopped
- 2-1/4 cup chopped onion
- 3 cups water
- 6 cups peeled & diced potatoes
- pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 7 cups half & half
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 3 6.5 ounce cans chopped clams
- 1/2 pound fresh steamer clams
Instructions
- Scrub clams & then place in a bowl of salt water for 20 minutes (1/3 cup salt in 1 gallon water).
- Remove from water - rinse & repeat 2 more times to allow the clams to release the sand inside.
- Once done - fill stockpot with water just to cover the bottom. Place clams inside.
- Cover & bring to a boil & let the clams steam 5-7 minutes or until they open.
- Remove clams from shells & set aside.
- While you are soaking your clams for the last time - peel & dice your potatoes & onion. Set aside.
- Place diced bacon in another large stockpot & cook over high heat - until cooked & crisp.
- Leaving bacon & grease in bottom of pot & add in your onions & garlic - cook & stir until onions are soft.
- Add in butter - allow to melt & blend flavors. Keep stirring.
- Stir in water & potatoes.
- Add pepper to taste (I purposely do not add salt because of the salt content of the other ingredients- you don't want too much)
- Bring potatoes to a boil & cook uncovered about 15 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
- Pour in your half & half
- Drain your cans of clams - reserving the clam liquid.
- Add in your canned clams & your fresh clams.
- Add 1/2 of your reserved clam juice.
- Stir & cook until hot- do not bring to a boil
- Serve hot.
- *note - this is a thinner, lighter chowder. I will be sharing a thicker, heartier version of this later.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
I’m sharing this recipe as part of January’s Recipe Round-Up.
I have teamed up with a wonderful group of talented gals to bring you some of the best COMFORT FOOD recipes you’ll ever find.
Check out all the other recipes by these AMAZING bloggers that have joined in this month.
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Emily Thompson says
SO yummy!!! wow, I just love your photos too! Do you have any photography resources you could suggest for me? I’d really like to keep improving in this area ;o) Thanks for another great round up! Emily
Gina Kleinworth says
Thanks Emily!!! I am currently in the middle of my 7 week photography workshop. I have a list going for the next class if you want me to add you to it. Will be starting in late spring.
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin says
I love the idea of a bread bowl – too bad GF bread wouldn’t hold up to that! I may not eat clams, but you’re making me remember to make my fish chowder soon!
Jennifer @ Crockpot Gourmet says
I’ve never made clam chowder but I just might give this a try! Looks delicious!!
Lisa @ Practically Perfect Home says
The clam chowder sounds so good! My mom makes clam chowder every year for Christmas…I’ll have to pass this recipe along. Thanks for sharing! ~Lisa
Kim Cunningham says
Oh wow! I love clam chowder! We have light snow today and this would be a perfect warming meal!
Danelle says
Well, if this is a fireman’s recipe, I know it has to be good. Can’t wait to try it–and I’m totally serving it in bread bowls too. Thanks so much for hosting the Round-up again. 🙂
Jaymi says
wow! seriously, YUM! the only thing that could possibly make clam chowder better is BACON! Love the food photography too–the blue background is a perfect contrasting color.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Can it really be this easy Gina?? I am SO making this soup – most likely this week 🙂 I love clam chowder! Pinned!
Gina Kleinworth says
Indeed it is Trish – stay tuned for a hearty chowder version coming soon too. 🙂
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Wow! Can you just come to my house every time it gets cold out? Oh.. and bring that soup! Holy smokes Gina, that seriously looks and sounds amazing. I can see why you picked that for your winter comfort food, I want to snuggle up with that right now! Pinned!
Rachel @ {i love} my disorganized life says
Can you believe I’ve never tried clam chowder? I will have to get on that, stat!
Lucy says
You are just awesome ! soooo good ! xo
Mariel @ Or so she says... says
My husband LOVES clam chowder! This looks amazing! Pinned 🙂
Marti @ SewliciousHomeDecor says
This looks delicious and I love the bread bowl! Thanks for sharing this with us at Sewlicious Home Decor. Pinned to the party boards! 🙂
Marti