Ivar's Clam Chowder

 Although it isn't the actual recipe Ivar's using for its clam chowder, they did publish a recipe book with this one, and it is darn good. I'm posting it here so I don't have to keep looking it up. I usually double it.

Here's my alterations:

6 strips of bacon, cooked and set aside

2 cans minced clams, juice reserved

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced celery

1 cup diced potatoes

6 Tablespoons butter

6 Tablespoons flour

4 cups whole milk

1 tsp salt

Pepper to taste

In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon and set aside. Cook the vegetables for a few minutes in the bacon grease. Add the clam juice and just enough water to cover the veggies. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover for 20 minutes. Make the roux by melting butter, cooking flour until it's light brown, and add the milk. Stir and cook 3 minutes or until thickened. Add the veggie mixture and salt and pepper to taste.