Can't decide if it should have bacon, or ham or a fishy component. I
have some really nice smoky end cut bacon, or I have a lot of
different fishy stuff from the sea.. Cod, halibut, shrimp, langostino
and some other fish like stuff. I'll have to decide in the next
hour or so to be able to thaw the protein in time.
I use Rachel Ray's basics for a guideline.

CHOWDER BASICS
Rachael Ray

1 tablespoon vegetable oil or extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the
pan in a slow stream
2 tablespoons butter
2 all-purpose potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning blend, found near seafood department
or, on spice aisle in your market
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock or broth
1 quart whole milk
3 cups corn kernels, scraped fresh from the cob or, frozen kernels
8 ounces cooked lump crab meat, fresh is available in plastic tubs at
many fish counters
4 small bread boules, 6 inches, hollowed out, preferably sour dough,
optional

Toppings:
Oyster crackers
Hot cayenne pepper sauce
Sliced scallions

Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add oil and butter. As you chop
your veggies, add them to the pot: potatoes, celery, onion, and red
bell pepper. Add bay leaf to the pot. Season vegetables with salt and
pepper and Old Bay seasoning. Saute veggies 5 minutes, then sprinkle
in flour. Cook flour 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and
combine. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup up to a bubble. Add corn
and crab meat and simmer soup 5 minutes. Adjust the soup seasonings.
Remove bay leaf. Ladle soup into bread bowls or soup bowls and top
with oyster crackers, hot sauce and sliced scallions.

NOTE:
Saute onions first until translucent, sauté all vegetables until
tender. Probably should use ½ pound bacon. Only use ½ red pepper.
Just a pinch of red pepper flakes. Maybe 1 teaspoon of thyme.
Definitely do not use so much flour

Decisions, decisions.
I think there are some yeast rolls in the freezer too.
Janet US