This has become traditional at our house for dinner on Christmas Eve

8 SERVINGS TIME: 1 ½ hours

2 13 oz cans of chopped clams

2 cups potatoes, cubed

1 cup onion, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

¾ cup butter

¾ cup flour

4 cups milk

1 teaspoon salt

½  teaspoon sugar

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon sage

Combine clam juice, vegetables, and enough water to cover. Bring to boil and simmer until vegetables are tender (30 to 40 minutes). 

Make white sauce:  Melt butter in medium sauce pan over medium heat.  Add flour, and stir to mix.  Cook for a few minutes.  Add milk slowly while stirring.    Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce starts to thicken (warming milk in microwave first makes this go quicker).  

Add white sauce to vegetable mixture.  Add clams and spices. Simmer for 15 minutes.  Serve hot.