Healthy!!! Comfort Food Clam Chowder

If you are like me, and you like Clam Chowder, you know how full of salt and unhealthy it can be. But this recipe is actually healthy for you and allows you stay within your calorie goals and still enjoy a comfort food. Enjoy!!!

Mom's Classic Clam Chowder

3/4 c Onion, chopped
3/4 c Celery, chopped
3/4 c Carrots, chopped
1/4 c Butter
1 can Chicken Broth
1 bottle (8oz) Clam Juice
2 tsp. Chicken Bouillon
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 tsp Parsley Flakes, dried
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Curry Powder
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 md. Potato, peeled, cut, and cubed
2/3 c Flour
2 c 2% milk, divided
4 cans (6.5 oz each) minced clams, undrained
1 c Half and Half Cream
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup (optional for added thickness)

In a dutch oven, over medium heat, cook onion, celery, carrots in butter until tender. Stir in the broth, clam juice, bouillon, and seasonings. Add potato. Boil. Reduce to simmer, uncovered for 15-20 min or until the potato is tender.
In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup milk until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 min until thick.
Stir in clams, cream, and remaining milk; heat through to a boil. Discard bay leaf before serving.
Yields 12 servings (3 quarts)
(***Their Recipe calls for a green pepper, but I omitted that. This recipe is from The Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook, and I have tweaked the recipe a smidge.***)
The picture below is a screen shot of when I uploaded the recipe to my recipes so I could put this in my diary.