Cape Cod bids farewell to Senator Kennedy

After three days of celebration, remembrance and mourning for Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy nothing seem more appropriate and soothing for a Cape Coder than a steaming bowl of New England clam chowder.  In honor of his passing a favorite is renamed Teddy's Clam Chowder.  There are as many recipes for this chowder as there are clams off Cape Cod's coast, but this is a delicious one created by Examiner Joyce DeVita.

Teddy's New England Clam Chowder

Ingredients:

1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced pancetta 
1/2 tsp finely chopped garlic
1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme
1 Bay Leaf
3 cups chopped sea clams
5 cups clam juice
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1 cup diced  potato
2 cups heavy cream
salt & pepper to taste

Procedure:

In large pot sauté pancetta until fat is rendered in 1 tablespoon of olive oli.  Add  onion and celery. Continue to sauté until translucent. Add garlic, thyme, bay leaf, clams and clam juice. Bring to a boil.

Add potatoes and chopped clams to broth and simmer for 15 minutes.

Melt 1 cup butter in a separate sauce pan. Add flour and cook for 5 minutes to make a roux.  Add roux mixture to boiling clam mixture, stirring constantly until thickened.

Add heavy cream, salt, and pepper.

Gently simmer 15 minutes and serve with oyster crackers.

Makes 8 servings

For more info: www.EastBocaRatonLiving.com