Brattens Clam Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds fresh quahog clams (cleaned and scrubbed thoroughly)
• 12 ounces canned minced clams (reserve the juice for broth)
• 6 slices smoked bacon (diced for that signature smoky depth)
• 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes)
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (finely chopped)
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Reserved clam juice (from canned clams, adds authentic umami)
• 1 cup clam broth (extracted from steaming fresh clams)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (adds subtle smoky undertone)
• 1 bay leaf (for aromatic depth)