Monday, October 19, 2015

Nana's New England Clam Chowder

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fun and relaxing weekend, even if it was a busy one! This morning, I am blogging with a big cup of hot tea. It was 60F, this morning when I woke up. We had a really nice rain all weekend, and last night. We took that opportunity to open the windows, and turn off the central air.



It feels amazing, to be blogging, with the window open, breathing in the fresh, crisp Fall air, especially after it had rained all night! 

This is the time of year, where we enjoy the comforts of warm food. There is one family recipe that everyone in our family is familiar with and that is Nana's Clam Chowder.

 One year, I was blessed to have Nana write out her recipe for me. 


As she wrote it out, she tenderly explained it to me, and it was as if she wasn't explaining what or how the ingredients were added, but how she added that special touch to show how much she loved us all. You know when you taste something, it feels like there is love put in every spoonful or bite you taste. Now every year since, my children practically beg me to make this for them. It's like a warm hug in every bowl. My favorite part, is when she came to end, she would always remind me how important finishing off the soup was, by adding a Tablespoon of butter to the pot before serving. It gave the chowder, a velvety rich finish, that extra special touch! You can really taste the difference.



Nana's New England Clam Chowder

1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 stalks of celery cleaned and sliced
1 1/2 tsp. butter
1 tsp. fresh thyme
Salt and Pepper
6 oz. canned evaporated milk
5 cans of minced clams, Do Not Drain
*Salt Pork, cut into chunks
1 Tbls. butter
Oyster Crackers

*Salt Pork is very much like bacon, you could easily substitue it. It is very salty also, so if you are avoiding salt, use low-sodium ham or bacon.

1. Peel and dice potatoes into bite size pieces. Rinse the potatoes well. Place in stock pot, cover with water and cook over medium high heat for 10 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Drain potatoes.

2. Cook salt pork in saute pan, about 10 minutes. Remove Salt Pork, and set aside.

3. In same saute pan, on medium heat, melt butter and saute the onion and celery, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

4. Add the onion and celery, the cans of minced clams and clam juice, thyme, salt and pepper, and evaporated milk. Heat over medium high heat, for 10 minutes, until you can see steam coming from soup. Do Not Boil!

5. Add 1 Tbls of butter, to the chowder before serving. Serve with Oyster Crackers.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Until next time!
xo,
 You can follow me here!

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11 comments:

  1. This looks and sounds delicious. I enjoyed reading your story too! Thanks for sharing at the Lazy Gastronome's hop! http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-14/

    Hope to see you next week as well!

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  2. This is fabulous, Christine. I hope you bring it over to Food on Friday. Cheers from Carole's Chatter

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  3. Christine, so glad you stopped by to add to the collection. If you would like me to send you a reminder about each new Food on Friday, just drop me a line on ca4ole@gmail.com . Cheers from Carole's Chatter

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  4. Family recipes are so special and your Nana's New England Clam Chowder looks fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

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  5. I love your recipes Christine, you keep them so simple, and yet, they looks delicious!!
    Thanks for sharing on the #OMHGFF hope to see you next week! And thank you for Co-Hosting with me on the #OMHGWW!! :)
    Pinned to share!!
    Hope you have a great week!

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  6. Another great recipe for Christine:). Your family must love meal time at your house!

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing this precious family recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop, Christine. It's what we are all about! Family recipes are such a wonderful connection with our loved ones, both the ones we have with us and the ones that are gone. Love that you have the handwritten recipe card - that is lovely! I've featured your post at this week's hop, live on the blog now :-)

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  8. Love this New England clam chowder looks delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning and tweeting.

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  9. This looks and sounds delicious!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  10. Sounds yummy! I have a clam chowder recipe that we love, but I have to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing your sweet Nana's recipe with us at SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  11. This soup looks so good!
    Thanks for sharing the recipe with us a Cooking and Crafting with J&J.

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