New England Clam Chowder

• 2 cups refrigerated diced potatoes with onion (such as Simply Potatoes)
• 2 1/4 cups water, divided
• 50 littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 2 thyme sprigs
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 slice applewood-smoked bacon, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1/2 cup oyster crackers

1. Combine potato mixture and 1 1/4 cups water in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave at HIGH 8 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Set aside.
2. While potatoes cook, combine remaining 1 cup water, clams, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until shells open. Remove clams from pan using a slotted spoon, and discard any unopened shells. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl; discard solids. Cool clams slightly. Remove meat from shells, and chop. Discard shells.
3. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon to pan, and cook for 4 minutes or until browned and crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon from pan using a slotted spoon. Increase heat to medium-high. Add the celery to drippings in pan; saute 3 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
4. Combine flour and bottled clam juice in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add clam juice mixture and reserved cooking liquid to pan. Bring mixture to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add reserved potato mixture and chopped thyme to pan; reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped clams, half-and-half, and salt. Divide chowder evenly among 4 bowls; sprinkle evenly with bacon, pepper, and chives. Serve with crackers.

potatoes, water, littleneck clams, thyme, bay leaf, bacon, celery, allpurpose, clam juice, thyme, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, fresh chives, oyster crackers

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/new-england-clam-chowder (may not work)