I was born and raised in Carteret County, NC. This is my favorite way to cook clam chowder. I fry 4 or 5 strips of bacon until crispy. I remove the bacon strips, leaving the liquid fat in the pot, then adding a couple of tablespoons of cornmeal directly into the liquid fat stirring until the cornmeal turns a light brown before adding water and other ingredients. I then crumple the cook bacon back into the pot. To save time and avoid the mess of cleaning clams,I use store brought chopped clams and clam juice. The Discount Shoppers Store, BJ Warehouse, carries DOXSEE - SNOW'S Brand of chopped clams (51 oz) can. I have found this brand to be as good as fresh chopped clams.