MARKET STREET CLAM CHOWDER for SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

We don't even watch ball games in our home... HOWEVER we do turn the SUPER BOWL on each year and peek at the commercials...yes, we are hard up for needing a laugh or two!
As we are TRYING to lose weight... thoughts of yummy food are something we try not to entertain too often. So yesterday I mentioned something about Clam Chowder would sure be nice and low and behold I awake this morning and there is this most wonderful recipe on the counter among the ingredients to be cooked by my DH (darling husband), Isnt that amazing I can still say darling after 34 years? All he has has to say is "yes dear"... Just kidding of course.
So after church I am going to curl up with the computer and go into BLOGLAND for however long I chose...and forget about the NEW BIG SNOW STORM that is howling its way in today. I will even look cute as I had my hair designed yesterday. Did I mention there is Farr's Burnt Almond Fudge ice cream in the freezer...this day is going to be good!

Here is the recipe, its from the FAMOUS MARKET STREET GRILL here in Utah. I have Sheri from antique paperie to thank for the subliminal mind message about clam chowder, she was pondering her grandmothers clam chowder last week on her blog. She also talked about having a signature smell, well ...I go right out and get me a new perfume and Oh do I love my new smell...See the influence blog land has on us! I think it has a profound affect on our economy, dont you?

MARKET STREET CLAM CHOWDER: serves 12
1 c. potatoes, diced 1/2"
1 c celery, diced 1/2"
1. cup onion, diced 1/2"
1 cup leeks, diced 1/2"
1 c. green pepper, diced 1/2"
3/4 cup chopped clams (chopped or fresh)
3/4 Tablespoon course ground pepper
1 1/2 Tablespoon salt
3/4 Tablespoon whole thyme
6 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Tabasco
3/4 c. sherry wine optional
2 cups water
3/4 c. clam juice
3/4 cup real butter melted
1 c. flour
2 quarts half and half
Combine melted butter and flour in oven proof container and bake at 325 for 30 minutes. In large saucepan combine remaiining ingredients except half and half. simmer until potatoes are thoroughl cooked. Stir butter flour mixture into chowder and stir until thick. Mixture wil be slightly less thick than cokie dough. Remove chowder from heat. stir in cream until blended. Heat to serving temp. serve immediatly