Ralphie's Clam Chowder

Ingredients

• 6-8 slices bacon
• 4 large onions, sliced
• 12 cups potatoes, cubed
• 2 quarts half-and-half
• 2 quarts clam juice

• 2 (16 ounce) cans clams
• 1/2 cup butter
• hot sauce

Directions

1. 1

   Fry bacon, save grease (do not burn).

2. 2

   Suate sliced onions in bacon fat over med low heat until slightly firm.

3. 3

   Add clam juice.

4. 4

   Add potatoes.

5. 5

   Bring to a boil.

6. 6

   REDUCE heat.

7. 7

   SIMMER until tender - approximately 15 minutes.

8. 8

   add half and half.

9. 9

   add clams, butter and hot sauce.

10. 10

    When soup is about to boil remove from heat (do not let it boil).

11. 11

    add salt and pepper to taste.