What Makes This Soup So Good
Who here is a fan of rich and creamy soups that are filling and nourishing and uh, bacon? Is bacon an adjective? It is now, sister. This New England style clam chowder is something of a miracle: it’s a Whole30 soup and super healthy, but it’s as delish as the classic seafood chowder I grew up with. The secret? Cashew cream. Cashew cream is 100% the trick to turning paleo or Whole30 soup recipes into rich dishes that could rival the unhealthiest of counterparts. It shocks me every time, still! I stir it in thinking, Well, this looks good. And then I take a bite and have to resist the urge to slap whoever’s closest to me. Could be my husband… could be my toddler, could be my baby. Whoever it is, they’re this close to getting slapped, because I’m that positively thrilled by my cashew cream skills. Oh, and bacon. Bacon is the secret to this easy and healthy clam chowder, too.
Why you’ll love it
Have I mentioned it’s insanely rich and creamy? Because it’s insanely rich and creamy.With potatoes and plenty of clams, it’s filling and a meal in and of itself.It’s really quite easy and comes together in a little more than 30 minutes.It’s totally dairy free, and it’s Whole30 and paleo, too!
Variations
Substitute cauliflower florets for the diced potatoes.If you’re not on any sort of diet, feel free to use 3/4-1 cup of half-and-half or heavy cream in place of the cashew cream. Make sure you leave out that extra 1 cup of chicken broth if you do!If you’re allergic to cashews, try 2 cups of coconut cream in place of the cashew cream. Coconut cream is just the white solid part of a can of full-fat coconut milk. Again, make sure you leave out both the cashews and extra 1 cup chicken broth if you use this substitution.
Key Ingredients
If you’re like me and your busy life only allows for grocery hours as opposed to whole grocery days, take the easy route with me and order your ingredients from Thrive Market! Guys, if you’re serious about your paleo/whole30/simply healthy kinda diet, you’ve got to check out Thrive Market. The prices are fantastic, at 25-50% below traditional retail prices, and don’t even get me started on the time you save! Easier + cheaper = a total no-brainer in my book. For this clam chowder recipe, these are the ingredients I order from Thrive Market:
Sugar-free Bacon ( I get it as part of this Meat Sampler, which has literally all of my favorites)Chopped garlic (forever goodbye to stinky garlic fingers)Bar Harbor Clam Juice and their chopped clamsHimalayan sea salt and oranic black pepper
How to make it
It’s easy! Start by pouring very hot or boiling chicken stock over some raw cashews, then set this mixture aside. Next, crisp up your sliced bacon in a saucepan, then remove the bacon bits with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease, then sauté your onions and celery over medium heat until softened and the onions are translucent. This will take about 5 minutes. Stir in your garlic and, stirring constantly, cook for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant. Sprinkle the arrowroot powder over this veggie mixture and stir well. Then, pour in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and whisk until smooth and arrowroot are incorporated. Add in the potatoes, clam juice, and the bay leaf and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer 15 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through and fork tender. In the meantime, pour your cashews and the chicken broth you soaked them in into a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth, then scrape this mixture into your saucepan. Stir well and add your undrained clams, plus lots of salt and pepper. Simmer for another couple minutes then ladle into serving bowls. Top with crisp bacon and sliced chives.
Are white potatoes paleo?
I mean, we can debate it if you want, but I eat them as part of my paleo diet. Ever since the founders of the Whole30 gave them the a-OK, I figured I was good to go there. If you don’t eat white potatoes, though, you can substitute cauliflower florets for them in this recipe. You won’t need to simmer this healthy Whole30 soup as long if you do; try 10 minutes instead of 15.
Other recipes you’ll love:
Healthy Zuppa Toscana (Whole30, Paleo, Dairy Free)Instant Pot Healthy Chicken Pot Pie SoupPerfect Whole30 Instant Pot Tomato SoupWhole30 Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-Less SoupCheesy Vegan Broccoli Soup
