Cupcakes & Clam Chowder

Nothing better than making cupcakes and clam chowder on a snowy cold day :-)

The cupcakes are for 2 girls at work who had birthdays and promised I would make them cupcakes since they love my baking. Red Velvet and Chocolate .... both with with cream cheese icing ... all from scratch :-)

Than clam chowder for the cold snowy day ... nothing warms the body and soul better than a hot heart soup and clam chowder is both mine and Patrick's favorite! Recipe courtesy of my mom ... better than any chowder in Boston!

Clam Chowder

1/4 lb bacon
5 6.5oz cans minced clams in clam juice
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 small-medium onion diced
4 medium potatoes cubed
4 T. butter
8 T. flour
pepper and salt to taste

Cut bacon into small pieces then brown chopped bacon slowly in frying pan.
When bacon is is to desired crispness removes from pan. Add chopped onions to pan with bacon grease and sauté till onion is translucent.Add clam juice and cubed potatoes and cook 15 minutes.Add clams and simmer until potatoes are done 5- 15 minutes more.Make a buerre paste of butter and flour (melt butter and mix in flour) and slowly add to simmering soup stirring constantly so as not to clump.Add milk and half and half and season with salt and pepper if necessary (I find I rarely need to add any seasoning.)
Simmer 5-10 mins.Serve bacon on top.

Enjoy!