On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:41:06 -0500, " BOB" > wrote:

>Damsel wrote:
>>
>>>From the keyboard of Bob Pastorio:
>>>
>>> In New England, clam chowder is usually essentially
>>> cream of potato soup with clams in it, with small local
>>> variations.
>>
>> So, I could make potato leek soup, toss in a can or two
>> of baby clams, and I'd have chowder?
>>
>> Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes.
>
>That would work. It wouldn't really be New England clam chowder, but what
>do you care? You're in MiniSoda. Call it MiniSoda Clam chowdah.

Just plain ol' Clam Chowder. I suppose I could come up with some really
impressive-sounding, pretentious name for my creation, but it'd just be
clam chowder. And chowdah is from somewhere other than Minnesoda.
Bah-ston, maybe?

>> I've never attempted my own clam chowder. Don't know why
>> it makes me so nervous.
>
>You've probably heard that adding clams to the cream base will make the
>milk/cream curdle. It can with fresh clams, but you're probably going to
>use canned clams, and unless the cannrd clams are really cold and the base
>is really hot (as it should be) your chances of it curdling are likely
>slim to none.

Curdling has never occurred to me. I just thought of it clam chowder as
kind of a mystery food. Glad to know I'll be safe, unless I store my cans
of clams in the refrigerator, which would be strange, even for me.

>> The best I've had has been
>> Campbell's chunky non-concentrated soup. I know I can do
>> better. I've just been afraid to try.
>>
>That stuff can be addictive. Once you've had really good freshly made
>N.E. clam chowder, there is no comparisum, but the Campbells is addictive,
>and a relatively new "comfort food".

Definitely, there'll be no comparison, but when you're both tired and
hungry, the Campbell's stuff really hits the spot. Just don't get the
condensed version, and if you do, don't say I didn't warn you.

Carol
--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_