Almost Dad’s Clam Chowder

1 cup water
2 teaspoons clam base*
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 large red potatoes
2 cans (6 1/2 ounces each) minced or chopped clams, with juice
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
1 tablespoon bacon bits, optional
1 1/2 cups lowfat milk*

Place water and clam base in a 2-cup glass measure and microwave, uncovered on high, 2 minutes. Remove, stir and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat in a 4 1/2-quart Dutch oven or soup pot. Peel and coarsely chop onion, adding to pot as you chop. Cook, stirring from time to time, until onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut potatoes (unpeeled), into bite-size pieces and add to pot. Add clam bouillon mixture, and raise heat to high. Add canned clams with juice, thyme, bay leaf, Worcestershire and pepper. Bring soup to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium, and cook at a slow boil until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer. Stir in bacon bits, if using, and milk. Cook 2 more minutes or just until milk is heated through, but do not boil. Remove from heat until ready to serve.

* Notes

Clam base is sold alongside bouillon cubes. Or substitute 8 ounces bottled clam juice.

Or fat level of choice.

Beverly’s father, Jay Mills, spends most summers on an island along the North Carolina coast. Early on a Saturday, he’ll get a rake and a bucket and head for his boat. An hour or so later he’s back with enough freshly dug clams for a stunning homemade chowder that takes up a good portion of the rest of his day. This sort of commitment doesn’t fit most schedules (or many inland locales). So we devised this method to make delicious New England-style chowder anytime we like. It’s not quite as wonderful as Dad’s, but it’s darn close.

 Feel Good About: Very low fat!

Approximate Values Per Serving: 225 calories (15% from fat), 4 g fat (1 g saturated), 30 mg cholesterol, 16 g protein, 32 g carbohydrates, 3 g dietary fiber, 578 mg sodium

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