Clam Chowder

I am not a seafood fan at all!  However, I grew up on this recipe for clam chowder, and I LOVE it!  In my own humble opinion, this is the best one out there!   Serve this up for dinner with a side salad, and sourdough bread.  Delicious any night of the week!

1 cup chopped onions (finely chopped)                  1 1/2 tsp salt

1 cup celery chopped                                             1/2 tsp sugar

2 cups potato, peeled and chopped                         Pepper to taste (I always put pepper on the table also.)

3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 cubes)                                    3/4 cup flour

1 quart milk (4 cups)

2  6 1/2 oz. minced clams, drained (If you want a more seafood flavor then drain one of the cans into the soup.  My family prefers that.)

In a pot place all the veggies, onions, celery, potatoes - with just enough water to cover them all.  Bring to a boil, slightly reduce heat.  Cover, and simmer about 15 minutes, until all the veggies are cooked.  I test by poking a larger potato piece with a fork.  DO NOT DRAIN!  

In a separate sauce pan, melt butter over medium-hi heat.  Take off heat.  Whisk in flour, salt, sugar and pepper.  Put back over heat, and add in milk a little bit at a time, whisking the whole time.  As it heats it will thicken.  

Add white sauce to the cooked veggies.  Stir to combine the white sauce with the water.  Stir and heat over medium-hi heat.  Add in clams.  Season with pepper.