Crock pot Clam Chowder

Ingredients

• 3 large celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• 1- 8 oz can chopped clams, drained
• 1 cup clam juice
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 quart half-and-half cream
• 2 T. fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 T. butter
• Sourdough Bread Bowls for serving, optional

Directions

Sauté celery, onions, and garlic with butter in a skillet.  Add all remaining ingredients to crock-pot and pour in the sautéed mixture. Stir ingredients to blend and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
This great homemade clam chowder is made best with fresh clams rather than canned, however, for those people who do not have easy access to clams; this recipe uses canned ones and a lot of celery, as well.