Clam Chowdah

So it is getting cold up here. Fall has officially arrived, y'all. Perfect weather for chowders, soups and stews, though. I decided last night to play around and make up my own recipe for clam chowder that was not quite as heavy as typical. And not to toot my own horn, but toot toot baby! This was mmmmmm good! And easy as all get out. I actually think I used more fat free half and half than what I said below, but you should start with that amount and add more as you see fit. If you love a chunky monkey filled with goodies clam chowdah, enjoy! I promise you cannot tell that it only has 1/2 cup of heavy cream. All the flavor but waaay less fat.


Clam Chowder

Ingredients:

- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 large potatoes, cubed
- 20 baby carrots, chopped
- 1-2 ears of fresh corn, corn cut off ear
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 can chopped clams
- 2 cans whole clams
- 2 bottles clam juice
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3-4 cups fat free half and half
- 3 tablespoons butter
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch


Directions:

Saute onion in butter until it become translucent. Add in potatoes and carrots. Add everything except cornstarch. Simmer for about 45 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Take a ladle of liquid and mix with cornstarch in small dish. Add back to pot of soup.


Serve with salad and fresh bread.





Speaking of fresh bread, I found this fabulous blog the other day. What better to compliment a big bowl of chowdah on a cool fall night than a loaf of fresh bread. Y'all need to try this recipe! It was so easy and finally gave me a reason to use the dough hook attachment that came with my stand mixer. Her recipe instructs you to turn the dough out on a floured surface. But I used a wide bowl, left the dough in the bowl and just kneaded it in there. No need for extra flour in my case. Which to me means less mess. I love that! Anyway, please try her bread recipe. Even if you think that you can only make toast. I promise you can make this. It really is super easy. Just think of how great your toast will taste the next morning!