No-Cream Clam Chowder

• 4 dozen clams in shells, scrubbed
• 2 slices smoked bacon, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 medium-size onion, chopped
• 1 celery rib, with leaves, chopped
• 1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
• 1 large ear fresh corn, kernels removed, or 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
• 3/4 pound red potatoes, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

1. Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a large skillet. Add clams, cover, and steam 5 to 7 minutes or until shells open; discard any that do not. Drain clams, reserving cooking liquid. Pour cooking liquid through a fine wire-mesh sieve into a bowl, and set aside.
2. Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until crisp; drain on paper towels, reserving 2 teaspoons drippings in saucepan.
3. Saute carrots, onion, and celery in hot drippings over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add reserved clam cooking liquid, clam juice, and next 5 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, over medium heat 8 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
4. Meanwhile, shuck clams and coarsely chop the meat. Whisk together milk and flour in a small bowl; add to saucepan, and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. (Do not boil.) Add bacon and clams, and cook 1 to 2 minutes or just until heated through. Stir in parsley.

bacon, carrots, onion, celery, clam juice, corn, red potatoes, salt, freshly ground black pepper, thyme, milk, allpurpose, fresh italian parsley

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/no-cream-clam-chowder (may not work)