A hot bowl of soup on a chilly day says many things. It says comfort in its warm, thawing energy. It says love in the way it brings families together. It says health and vitality in its nutrient density and ability to detoxify and strengthen the body. A little soup, maybe even this clam chowder recipe, goes a long way to getting you through the cold months more easily. Keep a stockpot simmering on the stove, and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.
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Best Soup Recipes for Chilly Weather
Clam chowder is comfort food at its best, and this clam chowder recipe, with pieces of crispy bacon and buttery chunks of clam, will give you something to look forward to when the weather is dreary and your spirits need raising.
Alida’s Clam Chowder Recipe
A thick, creamy soup, this is my mother’s recipe, and she still makes it.
1 pound bacon, diced
3 large onions, chopped
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups water
3 small cans minced clams
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
Pinch thyme
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
4 cups milk
1 can evaporated milk
In skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Add onions and cook until browned.
Add potatoes and water, and cook until potatoes are tender. Stir in clams, pepper, sugar and thyme, and let simmer.
In separate pan, over low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour. Add milk a little at a time while continuing to whisk until white sauce starts to bubble around edges. Pour white sauce into clam mixture and let cool.
Just before serving, stir in evaporated milk. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, or until heated through. Do not boil, as it will ruin the texture of the soup. Yields 3 quarts.
