My Favorite New England Clam Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 1/2 cup Chardonnay wine or 1/2 cup other dry white wine
• 1 cup whipping cream (35%)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 (5 ounce) cans clams (reserve juice or nectar)
• 2 large bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 2 -3 cups baking potatoes, peeled and 1/2 inch diced
• 1 cup canned unsweetened evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• coarse salt
• freshly cracked black pepper