New England Style Cod Chowder

• 4 oz meaty salt pork or slab bacon, diced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 stalks of celery with leaves, finely chopped
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-in cubes
• 1 bottle clam juice (8 oz)
• 1 ½ c seafood stock
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 ½ lbs skinless cod, cut into 2-in pieces
• 1 ½ c heavy whipping cream (can use up to 2 c)
• 1 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped, for serving
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, minced, for serving

Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and cook salt pork or bacon until brown, but not crisp, 8-10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer meat to paper towels to drain.

Add butter, onion and celery to drippings in the pot; season with freshly ground pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion and celery are soft, 5-8 minutes.

Add potatoes, clam juice, seafood stock and thyme; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes.

Season cod with fresh ground pepper and place fish on top of potatoes. Cover pot and cook (liquid should be barely simmering) until fish is opaque throughout, 5-7 minutes. Thicker pieces will take longer to cook.

Add heavy whipping cream and return to a simmer. At this point, the fish will break into smaller pieces. Season with more fresh ground pepper and garnish with bacon, parsley and chives just before serving.