Ingredients

  • 5 pounds littleneck clams, scrubbed in cold water until no grit remains on the shells
  • 8 ounces pre-sliced bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Dried Aleppo pepper (or any other smoky dried pepper), for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 stalks green celery, washed, trimmed and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 leeks (white and light green part only), cleaned and diced
  • 1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup dry vermouth
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 4 Yukon gold potatoes, washed and cut into 3/4-inch dice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Hot sauce, for flavor
  • Worcestershire sauce, for flavor
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon dry marsala
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • Baked Bread, for dipping, recipe follows
  • Eight 3/4- to 1-inch-thick slices sourdough bread
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into thin slices
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dill seeds

Method

  • Place a large pot or rondeau on the stove and add 3 cups water.
  • Bring the water to a boil and add the clams.
  • Cook until the clams pop open.
  • Though it is important to stir the clams as they cook, take care because the shells are fragile and break easily.
  • Put the clams in a colander and reserve the cooking liquid.
  • Shell the clams; discard the shells and reserve the clam meat and the liquid separately.
  • Add the bacon to another large pot and cook over medium heat until crispy.
  • Drain the bacon with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel, dust with Aleppo pepper and set aside.
  • Add the butter to the bacon fat in the pot and quickly cook the celery, about 1 minute.
  • Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
  • Remove the celery with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add the garlic, leeks and onions to the pot and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
  • Cook until the vegetables become tender and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the vermouth.
  • Continue to cook until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 12 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in another large pot, combine the cream, thyme, potatoes and bay leaves.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
  • Add a splash of hot sauce and Worcestershire.
  • Stir to blend.
  • Taste for seasoning.
  • There is a good chance there will be grit in the clam cooking liquid.
  • Strain it and add it to the onion/leek mixture.
  • Stir to blend.
  • Taste for seasoning.
  • Combine with the potato mixture.
  • Add the clam meat, reserved celery, tarragon and dill.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaves.
  • Add the marsala.
  • Taste for seasoning.
  • Add more cream and water if needed.
  • Top with the bacon just before serving and serve with the Baked Bread.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Melt the butter in a small skillet over low heat and add the garlic.
  • Sprinkle with salt and white pepper.
  • Heat gently for 1 minute.
  • Use a pastry brush to coat the bread slices with the butter.
  • Pour any remaining butter into the bottom of the baking sheet.
  • Dust the bread with the paprika and dill seeds.
  • Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake until the slices are browned and crispy, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Remove and cool for a minute before serving alongside the soup.
  • From Food Network Kitchens; after further testing and to ensure the best results this recipe has been altered from what was in the actual episode.