INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup
water
1/2 cup
chicken broth
6 cloves
garlic crushed
6
slices thick cut bacon, diced
1 cup
onions, finely diced
1 cup
celery, finely diced
1 cup
leeks, finely sliced
3 cups
red potatoes, diced
3 cups
chicken broth or stock
3/4 cup
clam juice (bottled is fine)
1 1/2 tbsp
kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp
black pepper
3/4 tbsp
dried thyme
4
bay leaves
1 1/2 tsp
Tabasco sauce
3/4 cup
fresh clams, steamed, (shelled and chopped)
2/3 cup
PLUS 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour ((divided))
1 qt
half and half (4 cups)