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Manhattan Clam Chowder

Recipe

Yield: 6 main course servings

12
quahog or large cherrystone clams scrubbed & rinsed
1
cup dry white wine
3
cups water
4
slices bacon cut ½" lengths
2
cups finely-chopped onion
1
cup finely-chopped celery
½
cup chopped bell pepper
¾
cup diced carrot
1 ½
tablespoons minced garlic
3
bay leaves
1 ½
teaspoons dried oregano leaves
4
sprigs fresh thyme
½
teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 ¼
pounds potatoes peeled, and cut into ½" cubes - (aboutt 3 cups)
1
cup chicken stock
3
cups chopped peeled seeded tomatoes (or 28-oz can whole tomatoes/ chopped and juices reserved)
¼
cup chopped parsley leaves
Salt to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper to taste

In a large stockpot bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add clams, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Uncover, quickly stir clams well with a wooden spoon, and re-cover. Allow clams to cook 5 to 10 minutes longer (this will depend on the type and size of clams you are using), or until most of the clams are opened.

Transfer clams to a large bowl or baking dish and strain broth through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl. (You should have about 6 cups of clam broth. If not, add enough water to bring the volume up to 6 cups.) When clams are cool enough to handle, remove them from their shells and chop into ½-inch pieces. Set clams and broth aside.

In a large heavy pot add bacon and render until golden and crispy. Pour off all fat except 4 tablespoons. Add onions, celery, bell pepper and carrots and cook for 10 minutes, until vegetables are softened. Do not allow to color. Add garlic, bay leaves, oregano, thyme and crushed red pepper and cook an additional 2 minutes.

Increase heat to high and add potatoes, reserved clam broth, and chicken stock and bring to a boil, covered. Cook for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and the broth has thickened somewhat. Add tomatoes and continue to cook for 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and add reserved clams and parsley and season with pepper and salt, if necessary. Allow chowder to sit for up to 1 hour to allow flavors to meld, then reheat slowly over low fire if necessary. Do not allow to boil.

This recipe yields 6 to 8 main course servings.