Today (assuming you actually ready this January 21) is National New England Clam Chowder Day, and while I prefer Manhatten Clam Chowder … which, come to think of it, really isn’t very chowdery but I prefer the tomato-based version over the milky one. Still, I can appreciate the creamy, dairy-based version. But, what if I told you that you could make an equally delicious version that’s dairy free?

If you Google clam chowder recipes, you will be overwhelmed with the variations … some use heavy cream, some ½ and ½, some instant potato flakes as a thickening agent, others cornstarch or flour … some use red potatoes, some Yukon gold … there are so, so, so many versions it’s hard to decide which one to cook. So when I decided to make a dairy-free version, I combined the things I like, removed what I don’t, and came up with a super delicious chowder that is so good I was genuinely surprised. It’s thick and creamy but rest assured not so much that it sticks to the spoon like frosting—the secret? Silk brand, dairy-free heavy whipping cream. Which in theory really isn’t whipping cream but it works equally well to thicken soups and sauces alike. And that’s that … give it a try. I promise you will L to the O to V to the E it!

WITH LENTEN SEASON UPON US, CLAM CHOWDER IS A PERFECT FRIDAY-NIGHT MEAL—OR ANY-NIGHT MEAL FOR THAT MATTER.

DAIRY-FREE NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

PREP TIME: 25-30 minutes COOK TIME: 25-30 minutes

• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 head garlic, minced
• 1 Tbs plant-sourced butter
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 10 red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 cups water, (approximately)
• 1 8oz. jar clam juice (note, if you use fresh clams, preserve the water used to cook them in, and use that instead of clam juice)
• 1 to 1 ½  cup dairy-free heavy cream
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups clams: one 8 ounce can chopped, one 8 ounce can whole
• 2-3 Tbs parsley, chopped
• OPTIONAL: 10-12 whole clams in shells, cooked
• OPTIONAL: 8-10 slices of bacon for topping

In a large Dutch oven, saute celery, onion and garlic in butter and olive oil for 5 minutes. Add potatoes, clam juice, and just enough water to cover potatoes, cook on med-high for 15 minutes. Remove 1 cup and set aside to cool for 5 minutes, then using an emulsion blender (if you have one otherwise use a regular blender) blend some of the soup, but not all. Add cream, bay leaf, chopped and whole clams, pepper, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining liquid with ⅓ cup flour, stir and let sit. In a separate pan, cook bacon until crisp, remove, drain fat, and chop. Set aside.

Add flour mixture to Dutch oven, stir well and bring just to a boil for 30 seconds, stirring the mixture so it’s evenly distributed. Toss in cooked clams in shells (because it’s pretty ; ) Remove bay leaf and serve in a bowl with bacon sprinkled on top. Add a dusting of chopped parsley and or crackers or crusty bread. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: Our recipes are just that, ours. Some are modified versions of dishes we’ve had elsewhere or old-favorites that contained animal proteins that we replaced with plant-based options, while others are a concentrated effort of trial and error. But all are intended to be altered by you and made to suit your tastes. So if you want more garlic or none at all, go for it. You do you ; ) Now for the serious part … periodically this site does offer health, nutrition and exercise information. The information provided is not intended as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice given by a licensed physician or other health-care professional. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, consult your physician and never delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have read on this site. The use of any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.