New England Clam Chowder III

Directions

Ingredients :

½ cup butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

8 onions

chopped

2 bunches celery

chopped

1 gallon milk

18 (16 ounce) cans minced clams

drained with juice reserved

4 quarts chicken broth

2 quarts heavy cream

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

salt and pepper to taste

Methods :

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour all at once and continue to cook and stir until it again becomes bubbly at the edges. Remove roux from heat and set aside.

In a 10 gallon pot over medium heat, cook onions and celery until just tender. Meanwhile, place milk in a large double boiler and cook slowly over simmering water. Whisk in the roux and cook the milk until thickened, stirring frequently.

Stir clam juice and chicken broth into the large pot and bring to a boil. Then stir in the thickened milk. Bring that just to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream, thyme and clams. Simmer 10 minutes more, then season with salt and pepper.