Simple Clam Chowder

This clam chowder recipe is easy and tastes even better the next day. The protein in the milk benefits hair and skin, and the vitamin B12 from the clams and B6 from the potatoes nourish hair. Garnish with additional fresh thyme.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

2 bacon slices
2 cups chopped onion
1 1/4 cups chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 (6 1/2-ounce) cans chopped clams, undrained
5 cups diced peeled baking potato (about 1 pound)
4 (8-ounce) bottles clam juice
1 bay leaf
3 cups fat-free milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)

Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings in pan. Crumble bacon; set aside. Add onion, celery, salt, thyme, and garlic to drippings in pan; cook 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Drain clams, reserving liquid. Add clam liquid, potato, clam juice, and bay leaf to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until potato is tender. Discard bay leaf.

Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add flour mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 12 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Add clams; cook 2 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon.

CALORIES 257 (10% from fat); FAT 2.9g (sat 0.6g,mono 0.6g,poly 0.7g); IRON 26.6mg; CHOLESTEROL 67mg; CALCIUM 242mg; CARBOHYDRATE 27.9g; SODIUM 475mg; PROTEIN 28.5g; FIBER 2g

Cooking Light, JANUARY 2008