Clam Chowder

Ingredients:

1 1/2 kg fresh clams in shell.
1 cup of water.
1 tablespoon oil.
125g bacon, chopped.
1 onion, chopped.
500g potatoes, peeled & cubed.
1 1/4 cups fish stock.
2 cups of milk.
1/2 cup of cream.
Salt & pepper to taste.

Method:

• Place clams in a large pan with water. Simmer, covered over a low heat for 5 minutes or until shells open. Discard the unopened ones. Strain the liquid & reserve.

• Remove meat from shells, & chop finely.

• Heat oil in pan & add bacon & onion. Cook, stirring until bacon is crisp & onion is translucent.

• Add potato & stir.

• Measure out 1 1/4 of the reserved liquid. Add this liquid, the fish stock & the milk to the bacon/onion mix. Bring to boil & simmer, covered over a low heat for 20 minutes until the potato is tender.

• Add cream, clam meat, salt & pepper. Heat through before serving.