Rachael Ray's Fire-Roasted Manhattan Clam Chowder

Last Wednesday we needed a quick dinner because my mom, sister and I had a concert to go to. My mom was nice enough to make us clam chowder so we could eat before we left.  We just had this with some crusty bread and it was a delicious and filling meal.  My mom has been making this recipe for a while and always talks about how good it is; I would have to agree I really enjoyed it.

This recipe was published in the November 2007 issue of the Rachel Ray Magazine.

Ingredients

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise 1/4 inch thick
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 ribs celery with leafy greens, stalks and leaves finely chopped separately
• 1 large baking potato, peeled and chopped
• One 28-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• One 14.5-ounce can chicken broth
• Two 10-ounce cans baby clams or chopped clams packed in water, liquid reserved
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until the fat renders, about 6 minutes; discard the fat. Add the olive oil and garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onion and celery stalks and cook, stirring, until softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the potato, the tomatoes and their juice and the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potato is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Stir in the clams with their liquid and cook to warm through. Stir in the chopped celery leaves and season with salt and pepper.