Contest-Winning New England Clam Chowder

Name: Contest-Winning New England Clam Chowder
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 5 servings.
Cuisine: North America, Pacific Northwest
Ingredients: 4 center-cut bacon strips; 2 celery ribs, chopped; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; 3 small potatoes, peeled and cubed; 1 cup water; 1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice; 3 teaspoons reduced-sodium chicken bouillon granules; 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 2 cups fat-free half-and-half, divided; 2 cans (6-1/2 ounces each) chopped clams, undrained

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Cook: 35 min. YIELD: 5 servings.

This is the best New England clam chowder recipe, ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren't readily available, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington

Ingredients

4 center-cut bacon strips
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup water
1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice
3 teaspoons reduced-sodium chicken bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups fat-free half-and-half, divided
2 cans (6-1/2 ounces each) chopped clams, undrained

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, water, clam juice, bouillon, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
3. Stir in clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil). Crumble the cooked bacon; sprinkle over each serving.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cups: 280 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 805mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat.