Scallop Chowder

We liked the flavor of the clam juice in this soup, but you could substitute fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth. If you don't have Pernod on hand, or prefer to omit the alcohol, substitute one teaspoon anise extract or finely ground aniseed. Serve with crackers.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups chowder and 1 1/2 teaspoons chives)

Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons  butter
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2  cups  chopped onion (about 1 medium)
• 1/4  cup  chopped celery
• 1  teaspoon  minced garlic
• 4 1/2  cups  (1/2-inch) cubed peeled Yukon gold or red potato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 1/4  teaspoons  kosher salt, divided
• 1  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 1/4  cup  all-purpose flour (about 1 ounce)
• 2 1/2  cups  clam juice
• 2 1/2  cups  2% reduced-fat milk
• 1  tablespoon  Pernod (licorice-flavored liqueur)
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  chopped fresh thyme
• 1 1/2  pounds  sea scallops, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 1/2  cups  half-and-half
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh chives

Preparation

Melt 2 teaspoons butter in a Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and celery; sauté for 5 minutes or until tender. Add 1 teaspoon garlic, and sauté for 1 minute. Add potato, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper; cook for 2 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Sprinkle flour over potato mixture, and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add clam juice and milk; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender. Partially mash potato using a potato masher. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, Pernod, and thyme; simmer 10 minutes. Add scallops and half-and-half; cook 5 minutes or until scallops are done. Sprinkle with chives.

Wine note: With its splash of licorice-laced Pernod, this chowder is reminiscent of bouillabaisse. And that makes the classic Provençal pairing, rosé wine, ideal; the 2006 vintage is arriving now. These fruity, affordable pink wines boast bright acidity and little tannin, which allows the subtle, sweet scallops to shine. Domaine de Fonsainte Gris de Gris ($13) from Corbières is vibrant, fresh, floral, and bone dry. --Jeffery Lindenmuth

Nutritional Information

Calories:

349 (21% from fat)

Fat:

8.1g (sat 4.6g,mono 2.2g,poly 0.2g)

Protein:

33.8g

Carbohydrate:

32.7g

Fiber:

2.1g

Cholesterol:

94mg

Iron:

1.3mg

Sodium:

842mg

Calcium:

220mg