Clam Chowder - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. clams, ground or chopped
bay leaf
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 c. chopped celery
1 tsp. chopped green pepper
2 to 3 Tbsp. butter
4 c. or more milk
flour or starch to thicken
2 c. diced potatoes
1 Tbsp. fried bacon bits

Preparation

Cook clams and bay leaf for 5 minutes with just enough water to cover.
Remove bay leaf.
Saute onion, celery and green pepper in butter and add to clams and clam juice.
Add the thickened milk, potatoes and bacon bits; cook gently until potatoes are done.
Season with salt, pepper and garlic.