The best Clam Chowder you will ever taste

This recipe is from a resturant called Market Street Grill. They make the best Clam Chowder I have ever tasted, and now you can make the best clam chowder too.


Market Street Clam Chowder
Serves 12
1 Cup potatoes diced
1 Cup celery diced
1 Cup onion diced
1 Cup leeks diced
1 Cup green pepper diced
3/4 Cup chopped clams (canned or fresh)
3/4 Tbs. coarse ground black pepper
1-1/2 Tbs salt
3/4 Tbs whole thyme
6 Bay leaves
1 tsp Tabasco
3/4 Cup sherry wine (optional)
2 Cups water
3/4 C clam juice
3/4 C butter, melted
1 Cup flour
2 Quarts half-and-half (2000ml)

Combine melted butter and flour in oven proof container and bake at 325 for 30 minutes.
In large saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except half-and-half.
Simmer until potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Stir butter-flour mixture into chowder and stir until thick.
Mixture will be slightly less thick than cookie dough. Remove chowder from heat. Stir in half-and-half until blended.
Heat to serving temperature, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.