Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 2 dozen top neck clams
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 lb bacon (chopped)
  • 1 cup onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup celery (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup carrots (chopped)
  • 4 small red potatoes (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 2-1/2 cups reserved clam juice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1-1/2 cups whole milk
  • 3/4 cup half-and-half
  • Few dashes of Tabasco (optional)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh chives (chopped and divided)
  • Pan-toasted croutons (see below)

Instruction

  • Rinse the clams under cold running water to remove any exterior sand and place in a large pot. Add the wine and some cold water to 1/2-inch depth in the bottom of the pot.
  • Cover, bring the liquid to a boil and cook just until the clams open, about 5 minutes. Removing the clams as they open with a pair of tongs keeps them from getting overcooked.
  • Once all of the clams are cooked, strain the cooking liquid into a bowl and set aside (a coffee filter set into a large funnel works well for this).
  • Remove the clams from their shells, chop roughly and set aside. You should have about 2 cups.
  • Wipe out any excess liquid from the pan and add the chopped bacon. Fry over medium-high heat until crisp and brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and blot the excess fat. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
  • Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan, lower the heat to medium and add the onion. Cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes, then add the celery, carrots and potatoes.
  • Continue cooking, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and the potatoes are tender. Add the butter to the pan and combine well.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture and toss until the vegetables are thoroughly coated. Cook, stirring constantly, until the flour coating has developed a golden color, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add 2-1/2 cups of the reserved clam cooking liquid to the vegetable mixture and stir. Cook until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Add the bay leaves, thyme, milk and half-and-half. Stir to combine, cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the chopped clams to the soup and cook for 2 minutes longer until they are heated through. Add the Tabasco, if desired, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  • Stir in the parsley and 2 tablespoons of the chives.
  • To serve, spoon the soup into 4 bowls, top with crumbled bacon, croutons and the reserved chopped chives.