Clam Chowder with Fresh Thyme

Clam Chowder with Fresh Thyme

After a beautiful summer, we have be experiencing the after effects of the hurricane season in northern New Jersey. It has changed my way of cooking. Typical dinners have usually been on the grill. I have been thinking more about making chilies, pot pies, and big pots of soup.

First up was a stockpot full of Clam Chowder with Fresh Thyme. My Middle One frequently requests this soup along with Broccoli Cheddar. I don't want her to get a Jan Brady complex, so I made her one of her favorite soups with plenty leftover for the upcoming days.

This recipe calls for ingredients that you can keep on hand. Therefore, it is a soup that can be made when you can't think of anything else for dinner. No extra trip to the grocery store will be required. I use canned clams, but by all means you can substitute fresh ones for an even better chowder.

My Step mom always makes a pot of this soup when we visit the Jersey Shore. Kudos to her for the recipe.

Clam Chowder with Fresh Thyme


serves about 10

4 slices of bacon, diced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
3 carrots, diced
3 medium potatoes, diced
2 medium zucchini, diced
1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
4 good dashes of Worcestershire sauce
4 cups of chicken stock or water
1 (8-ounce) bottle of clam juice
2 (10-ounce) cans whole baby clams
2 (8-ounce) cans chopped clams
3 tablespoons fresh thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Heat a large stockpot over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Add onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, and zucchini and cook for about 8 - 10 minutes. Add crushed and diced tomatoes, chicken stock, and clam juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the clams and their juices and thyme and just heat through. Adjust the seasonings.

Enjoy!