Pressure Cooker Clam Chowder

Serves 4 in about 38 minutes. A pressure cooker recipe built around cans clams* and chives.

Ingredients

• (3) 6.5 oz cans chopped clams* (reserve the clam juice)
• Water or a small bottle of clam juice. (to add to clam juice)
• 5 slices bacon, chopped
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/4 tsp dried)
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
• 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt (3/4 tsp table salt) or to taste
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 ½ lbs potatoes, 4 cups diced
• ½ tsp sugar (optional)
• 1 ⅓ cups half and half
• 1 ½ tbsp potato or corn starch (optional, for thickening)
• Chopped chives, for garnish

Method

1. Open the cans of clams and drain the clam juice into a 2 cup measuring cup. Stir in enough water to make 2 cups of liquid. Set the clams and juice/water aside.
2. Turn on the pressure cooker's Sauté function and add the chopped bacon. Cook, while stirring now and then, until fat has rendered out of it, but not crispy.
3. Tip in the butter, onion, celery, and thyme. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot to get up all of the brown bits, until the onion starts turning translucent.
4. Tip in the garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 1 instant, while stirring often.
5. Stir in the potatoes, sugar (if using) and clam juice/water mixture and stir.
6. Put the lid on the pot and lock in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
7. Cancel the Sauté function.
8. Set to Pressure Cook/Manual, and use the + or - (or dial) to choose 4 minutes (High Pressure). When cook time has ended, let the pot rest undisturbed for 3 minutes, then do a controlled Quick Release.
9. When the pin in the lid has dropped down, carefully open the lid, facing away from you, and stir the contents.
10. Use a potato masher to carefully mash some or all of the potatoes, as desired.
11. Turn the Sauté function back on, and use the Lowest setting (on the IP is called Less).
12. Tip in the clams and the half and half. Leave it to the chowder heat through, but try not to boil it.
13. If you want it thicker, you can thicken it with potato or corn starch mixed with some of the half and half, mixed well, and stir it in.
14. Turn off the pot and garnish the clam chowder with chopped chives, and serve with crackers or some nice bread or rolls.

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.