Clam Corn Chowder Lower Fat Version Recipe Cards

LOWER-FAT NEW ENGLAND-STYLE CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Saute onions, and mushrooms, if desired, in butter on medium heat in a medium stockpot.
• Add half and half, evaporated milk and cornstarch and reduce heat to med-low.
• Stir until slightly thickened, adding more cornstarch as needed.
• Separate clams from clam broth. Stir in clam broth, potato, corn, and stir. Reduce heat to low. Cover and allow to simmer for 30 minutes or more, stirring occasionally. Add clams and simmer for 10 minutes. Top with parsley and Old Bay. Makes a hearty meal if served with biscuits.

LOW-FAT CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Put the clams and 2 cups water in a pot. Cover, bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook 5 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook until the clams open, 5 to 10 minutes (discard any that do not open); transfer the clams to a bowl.
• Pour the liquid into a large measuring cup. (You should have 3 cups liquid; add water if needed.) Wipe out the pot. Pour the liquid back into the pot through a paper towel-lined sieve. Add the potatoes, cover and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove one-third of the potatoes. Continue to cook the remaining potatoes, covered, until soft, about 10 more minutes. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth. Return the soup to the pot.
• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and bay leaves and cook, stirring, about 3 more minutes. Add the bacon mixture and reserved potatoes to the soup. Cover and cook over low heat, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove the clams from their shells and roughly chop. Stir the clam meat and half-and-half into the soup; remove from the heat, cover and set aside, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Discard the bay leaves. Season the soup with salt and pepper and reheat. Serve topped with a slice of butter, parsley, chives and paprika.

LOW-FAT CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large nonstick saucepan, cook bacon and onion over medium heat until onion is tender. Add the potatoes, clams, broth, celery and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. , In a small bowl, combine flour and half-and-half until smooth; stir into potato mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

SUPPER CLAM CHOWDER

Steps:

• Cook chopped bacon in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until fat is rendered and bacon begins to brown. Add onions and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes and red bell pepper and sauté 1 minute. Add reserved liquid from canned clams, milk and bottled clam juice. Simmer chowder uncovered until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Add corn and clams to chowder; simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Mix in 3 tablespoons chopped thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.) Ladle chowder into bowls. Garnish with additional thyme and serve.