Easy Corn Chowder...

*1/4 cup finely diced celery

* 1 yellow onion finely diced

*2 cups chicken broth

*3/4 pound new red potatoes, peeled and cut in small pieces

*2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

*1 bay leaf

*1/2 tsp salt

*1/2 tsp pepper

*2 cups lowfat milk, heated

*4 cups corn

*3-4 slices of lowfat turkey bacon (with no nitrates!!), if desired

In large pan, saute the onions and celery in a small amount of the chicken broth for 5 minutes. Raise the heat to high and add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the potatoes, thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper and return to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cook until the potatoes are just tender - about 10-15 minutes. Add milk and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the corn and simmer just until corn is tender for 3-4 minutes. If desired, add some cooked and chopped bacon when you add the potatoes. I get a low-fat turkey bacon from Trader Joes with no nitrates that tasted great in this chowder...enjoy!