Gather the Ingredients
Making chowder is a great way to enjoy a delicious and hearty meal. To start, you will need to gather your ingredients. This includes a pound of cooked bacon, one cup of chopped onions, one and a half cups of diced potatoes, one and a half cups of diced celery, one cup of diced carrots, one cup of butter, one cup of all-purpose flour, two cups of water, one and a half cups of chicken broth, one and a half cups of half-and-half, one teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of sugar, and one teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Prepare the Ingredients
Once you have all of your ingredients gathered, it is time to prepare them. Start by heating a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until it is crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside. Reserve two tablespoons of the bacon fat, and discard the remaining fat. Add the onions, potatoes, celery, and carrots to the pan and cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make the Roux
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the butter to the pan and melt it. Add the flour and whisk together to make a roux. Cook the roux for about two minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add the water, chicken broth, and half-and-half and whisk together until the mixture is smooth. Add the salt, sugar, and pepper and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the Bacon and Vegetables
Once the mixture is thickened, add the bacon and vegetables to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. The chowder should be thick and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water or chicken broth and stir to combine.
Serve the Chowder
Once the chowder is cooked, it is ready to serve. Ladle the chowder into individual bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. You can also top with a sprinkle of shredded cheese for an extra special touch. Serve the chowder with warm crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Making chowder is an easy and delicious way to enjoy a hearty meal. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can whip up a pot of chowder in no time. Serve it with some crusty bread or crackers and your favorite garnishes, and enjoy!