Mmmm! New England Clam Chowder

I can't think of anything I'd rather have on a cold, blustery day than a steaming cup of New England Clam Chowder. This is the real deal, too - not the creamy goo one gets from a can! The cook swore to me it was made fresh this morning. We're talking freshly shucked quahog clams, clam broth, and potatoes. If a New Englander is the cook, one can bet the clams were sitting in a bucket of water overnight with a bit of corn meal. This important process allows the clam to spit out the sand sitting in its belly. Didn't know that? Oh, yes. There's nothing worse than taking a big spoon of fresh clam chowder and chewing on grit. Very un-appetizing!