1/2 lb Bacon 1 lg Onion chopped 2 Ribs celery peeled and Diced 5 sm Can minced clams OR 1 lg Can (about 51-oz) 2 ts Seafood Chesapeake brand Bay-style seafood Seasoning 1 qt (4 cup) half and half Divided 2 tb Flour The day before you wish to serve the soup, fry the bacon until crisp and remove. In bacon drippings, saute onion, celery with leaves and potatoes for 10-15 minutes at medium heat. Add the minced clams, not clam soup but clams, with their juice. Crumble the bacon and add. Cover soup and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for several hours - up to five hours won't hurt. Cool down and place in refrigerator at night. On the day of serving, skim grease off top. Transfer soup to larger pot. Heat soup until bubbling and add the seafood seasoning. Mix 2 cups of the half and half with the flour. Add to the chowder and stir until it bubbles again. Mix in remaining half and half and simmer, stirring constantly, until soup is desired thickness. Serve hot with garlic bread and a green salad.
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