Soup tonight!!

Okay, good people. Tonight may be the night to make a pot of soup. Cold front is coming through right now. In fact, it's getting darker and darker outside. BRRRRRR!

By Wednesday it should be back into the 80s so take advantage of the chilly weather now. This is a simple recipe for clam chowder that I think brings a lot of flavor for not much time in the pot. It is thickened at the end by melted butter mixed with flour; not exactly diet fare but the added richness is worth it. Especially on a night like tonight. (Make sure to heat it long enough so the flour cooks and doesn't taste raw.)

Serves with sourdough bread, warm and pillowy. And turn on the heat.

Clam Chowder
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (10 ounce) cans minced clams, drained with juice reserved
1 quart half-and-half cream
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

In a blender, combine onion, garlic and enough water to make a smooth paste. Set aside.

In a large pot, combine potatoes, celery, salt, pepper, onion mixture and juice from clams. Augment with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft, 20 minutes.

Stir in half-and-half and sugar. Combine melted butter and flour, then whisk into soup. Cook and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in clams and adjust seasonings.  Serves 6.

Source: www.allrecipes.com