Clam And Tomato Bisque

Ingredients

• 1 quart clams
• 1½ cups cold water
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• ½ onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups cream
• 1 cup stewed and strained tomatoes
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• Salt to taste
• Cayenne pepper to taste

Method

1. 1 Pour cold water over clams, then drain. Finely chop the hard parts of the clams.
2. 2 Add the chopped hard clam parts to the clam water. Heat slowly to boiling and cook for 20 minutes, then strain.
3. 3 In a separate pot, cook butter with the chopped onion for 5 minutes, then remove the onion.
4. 4 Add flour to the butter and gradually whisk in the strained clam water.
5. 5 Stir in the cream and the soft parts of the clams. Once boiling, add the tomatoes mixed with baking soda.
6. 6 Season with salt and cayenne, then serve immediately.