Gluten-Free New England Clam Chowder for #SundaySupper

Twenty eight days ago, Hurricane Sandy, having already wreaked havoc along the Carolina and Virginia Coasts, made landfall just south of Atlantic City New Jersey, and began her wrath across the state and in New York.

Since then, we have gone about our lives, took our kids trick or treating, having our Thanksgiving meal just days ago. There are thousands of New Jerseyians who have spent the last twenty eight days,and will unfortunately spend many….many more days, rebuilding their homes, their livelihoods, in many cases from the ground up.

Twenty eight days is long enough for most of us to move on to the next news story and forget about these people who are left with little help, but they are still filled with determination and hope.

So, the #SundaySupper team wanted to take this weekend after so many of us gave thanks for all that we have, to remind everyone about those who have so little left, and encourage you to help in any way that you can.

If you’re like me, you are a bit leery of a lot of these places who collect money for disasters, wondering just how much of your money will actually make it to those you are wanting to help. This is why I was so thrilled to hear about The Martin Truex Jr Foundation and their efforts to help.

Martin Truex Jr. was born and raised in New Jersey, and his hometown of Mayetta was severely affected by Sandy.

Most of his family still lives in the area, and while they were fortunate in that no one was seriously hurt, many sustained damages. It weighed heavily on his heart to do whatever he could to raise money for the community, and is continuing to do so, thanks in part to the many NASCAR fans that have stepped up to help him help others.

Since Martin is our favorite driver’s teammate, and Martin’s family are fisherman (one of , if not the largest clam fishers in the country), I felt it only appropriate that I finally take the plunge and try making New England Clam Chowder in his family’s honor.

When I told Randall that I was going to be making this, he kind of crinkled up his nose, telling me that he did not like clams, but he would at least try it.

I told him that I knew that he would try it, but I also knew that not only was he going to try it, but he was going to like it.

I don’t think he was as confident as I was until he took that first bite.

I have been a fan of clam chowder for years, and this creamy, rich bowl of comfort made Randall a fan, too. Daniel ate a huge bowl too, so its a safe bet that I will be making this again.

I had no idea that it would be so easy! If you have ever considered trying to make clam chowder, I say break out the pots!

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Gluten-Free New England Clam Chowder

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 c potatoes
• 1 c onion, diced
• *4 (6oz) cans minced clams, un-drained
• 3 tbsp potato starch
• 3 1/4 c half and half
• 5-6 slices of bacon
• salt & pepper to taste
• 
  

Instructions

1. peel and cube potatoes, and add to dutch oven
2. cover with water just barely
3. cover and bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender - do not drain
4. in a saute pan, cook bacon until crisp and drain off grease, leaving a tablespoon or so in the pan add diced onions and cook until translucent
5. add crumbled bacon back into pan and set aside
6. add clams in their juices into the potatoes
7. whisk potato starch into half and half and add into potatoes
8. add bacon and onions
9. simmer until thickened (about 15-20 minutes) before serving