Creamy Clam Chowder

This is my Mom's favorite chowder recipe and my mom knows chowder as she was born and raised in Maine

Ingredients

1 & 1/2 in cube of salt pork, diced
1 onion, finely diced
3-4 cups of clams with clam juice
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups of half and half (can substitute evaporated milk)
3 tbsp butter
1-2 tbsp of flour
water

Directions:

Saute salt pork in large heavy saucepan until lightly browned. Pour out all but 2 tbsp of fat.
Add onion and saute over medium heat until transparent
Sprinkle flour over the onion and salt pork and stirring constantly, cook for 1 minute
Measure clam juice and add enough water to measure 2 1/2 cups ( you can buy bottled clam juice if you want more of the flavor. You can also substitute low sodium chicken broth for some of the liquid).
Add the 2 1/2 cups of liquid and the clams to the pot.
Add potatoes, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer gently for approximately 20 minutes or until potatoes are done.
Just before serving, add the half and half and the butter and bring just to a simmer and turn off the heat.

Serve immediately with crusty hot bread.