Mother's Clam Chowder (Manhattan Style)

Ingredients

• 3 slices bacon (cut into small strips)
• 1 cup celery (finely diced)
• 1 cup onion ((chopped)
• 1 cup carrot (finely diced)

• 1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 cups potatoes (diced)
• 1 cup clam juice (1 - 8 ounce bottle)
• 2 cups water (filtered)
• 2 cups clams (minced, 2 - 7 oz cans)
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper (freshly ground, to taste)

Directions

1. 1

   Partially cook bacon.

2. 2

   Remove bacon, and reserve.

3. 3

   Add celery, onions, and carrots to bacon fat and sauté until tender (do not brown).

4. 4

   Return bacon to pan.

5. 5

   Add tomatoes, potatoes, clam juice, and water.

6. 6

   Drain clams, adding liquid to pan and reserving clams.

7. 7

   Add seasoning.

8. 8

   Gently simmer, covered about 40 minutes.

9. 9

   Bring up to boil.

10. 10

    Add clams, heat through, and serve.