"Healthier" "cream based" chowder recipe

[PandaBear]

I love New England clam chowder, I love to pour it on white rice as a sauce and eat it like chicken a la king. However just like chicken a la king I am a bit scared of the amount of heavy cream and butter, and roux used to make this. So I am wondering, is it possible to substitute some of the heavy cream and butter with say, soy milk (if I can find an no sugar plain one that's creamy), mash potato instead of roux, less butter (say cut it in half), and still get similar result?

Oh, I do have half a can of spam in the fridge and no bacon (I'm not a regular bacon eater), I am tempted to fry a thin stripe of spam to see if it would taste "like" bacon....

 

[Jdeere562]

I love New England clam chowder, I love to pour it on white rice as a sauce and eat it like chicken a la king. However just like chicken a la king I am a bit scared of the amount of heavy cream and butter, and roux used to make this. So I am wondering, is it possible to substitute some of the heavy cream and butter with say, soy milk (if I can find an no sugar plain one that's creamy), mash potato instead of roux, less butter (say cut it in half), and still get similar result?

Oh, I do have half a can of spam in the fridge and no bacon (I'm not a regular bacon eater), I am tempted to fry a thin stripe of spam to see if it would taste "like" bacon....

No, just no! Stick with a recipe you like. No soy milk or Spam allowed!

We will all die at some point. Just as well go out well fed.

 

[Oro_O]

Wait, is it still “Fat Bear Week?”

Oh, yep, still is:

https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/fat-bear-week-2023.htm

 

[k1xv]

I always say, it is better to smoke a few good expensive cigars than a lot of bad cheap cigars.

Stick to the original recipe, but just eat it less often.

 

[hrv]

No, just no! Stick with a recipe you like. No soy milk or Spam allowed!

We will all die at some point. Just as well go out well fed.

Plus if you are watching your carbs...butter and cream are OK...

 

[RDMgr]

I've had three heart attacks and bypass surgery. I have very high cholesterol that I keep under control with three medicines. I don't care, there are jsut some recipes that I won't change including New England clam chowder.

 

[JHZR2]

My perspective - you could try, you could fail. It may not be that much healthier… but you could try.

I’d try something like the “full fat” oatly milk first. Thing is, most of those plant mills have all kinds of oils and gums mixed in. Who knows if they’re really better?

I’d also try something like whole or 2% milk, and accept that it will be a bit thinner.

 

[97prizm]

I love New England clam chowder, I love to pour it on white rice as a sauce and eat it like chicken a la king. However just like chicken a la king I am a bit scared of the amount of heavy cream and butter, and roux used to make this. So I am wondering, is it possible to substitute some of the heavy cream and butter with say, soy milk (if I can find an no sugar plain one that's creamy), mash potato instead of roux, less butter (say cut it in half), and still get similar result?

Oh, I do have half a can of spam in the fridge and no bacon (I'm not a regular bacon eater), I am tempted to fry a thin stripe of spam to see if it would taste "like" bacon....

You can use coconut milk or cream which is lower fat than heavy cream. Corn starch also works to thicken soups without the fat. Pureeing certain vegetables or potatoes can easily thicken soups without adding additional fat.

 

[97prizm]

My perspective - you could try, you could fail. It may not be that much healthier… but you could try.

I’d try something like the “full fat” oatly milk first. Thing is, most of those plant mills have all kinds of oils and gums mixed in. Who knows if they’re really better?

I’d also try something like whole or 2% milk, and accept that it will be a bit thinner.

Oat milk is now being linked to kidney stones.

 

[#18FAN]

I love New England clam chowder, I love to pour it on white rice as a sauce and eat it like chicken a la king. However just like chicken a la king I am a bit scared of the amount of heavy cream and butter, and roux used to make this. So I am wondering, is it possible to substitute some of the heavy cream and butter with say, soy milk (if I can find an no sugar plain one that's creamy), mash potato instead of roux, less butter (say cut it in half), and still get similar result?

Oh, I do have half a can of spam in the fridge and no bacon (I'm not a regular bacon eater), I am tempted to fry a thin stripe of spam to see if it would taste "like" bacon....

Are you eating this every day 1 or 2 times a month twice a year I think it matters to know and your diet in general.

 

[JHZR2]

Oat milk is now being linked to kidney stones.

Well that’s lovely. Hadn’t heard that. I just know they have a “thicker” variant.

Have a link?

I found this a good read:

Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Risk Factors for Kidney Stones and Chronic Kidney Disease

Patients with kidney stones are counseled to eat a diet low in animal protein, sodium and oxalate and rich in fruits and vegetables, with a modest amount of calcium, usually from dairy products. Restriction of sodium, potassium and oxalate may also be ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[NormanBuntz]

Those options would be sacrilegious.

 

[JHZR2]

Those options would be sacrilegious.

Of course, but OP is free to try all the same.

Eating less of the real thing is probably the best bet, or if look for a clear broth version which I’ve had in NYC/NE, but not sure how it would work as a sauce. Maybe clear broth thickened with corn starch and just a touch of cream?

 

[bruckus]

How about posting a good chowder recipe for us midwesterners...

 

[NormanBuntz]

In North Carolina, it's Hatteras Clam Chowder.

Hatteras Style Clam Chowder

No cream, but a potful of clam juice in this chowder with potatoes, thyme and bacon.

www.allrecipes.com

 

[wpod]

Cream and Butter isn't worth worrying about.

 

[JohnnyG]

And just for the record, fat doesn't make you fat. And while we're on the subject, cheese is good for you too.
Latest research, posted on Google News.

 

[JHZR2]

And just for the record, fat doesn't make you fat. And while we're on the subject, cheese is good for you too.
Latest research, posted on Google News.

But cream and butter on simple carbs with no redeeming value, like white rice, isn’t very good.

 

[#18FAN]

But cream and butter on simple carbs with no redeeming value, like white rice, isn’t very good.

Really

 

[paulo57509]

I love New England clam chowder, I love to pour it on white rice as a sauce and eat it like chicken a la king. However just like chicken a la king I am a bit scared of the amount of heavy cream and butter, and roux used to make this. So I am wondering, is it possible to substitute some of the heavy cream and butter with say, soy milk (if I can find an no sugar plain one that's creamy), mash potato instead of roux, less butter (say cut it in half), and still get similar result?

Oh, I do have half a can of spam in the fridge and no bacon (I'm not a regular bacon eater), I am tempted to fry a thin stripe of spam to see if it would taste "like" bacon....

Try mixing Nestle Quik in a glass of soy milk (or almond milk) and you'll have your answer.