Light New England Clam Chowder

# 3 medium to large red potatoes, cubed
# 1/2 cup chopped or sliced celery (about 2 large stalks)
# 1 medium onion, chopped
# 1/4 cup flour
# 4 cups whole milk (low-fat milk can also be used)
# 2 tablespoons whipped butter or less-fat margarine
# 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
# 1 teaspoon sugar
# 1 cup chopped clams (2, 6.5-ounce cans chopped clams, drained)
# 10 drops Tabasco sauce

# Add potatoes, celery, and onion to a large, nonstick saucepan and add just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until tender (about 15 minutes).
# While vegetables are boiling, add flour and 1/4 cup milk to a 2-cup measure and stir to make a paste. Stir in another 1/4 cup of milk. Melt butter or margarine in a medium, nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and milk mixture, then slowly whisk in the remaining 3 1/2 cups milk. Stir in the salt, if desired, and the sugar and continue cooking and stirring until soup is nicely thickened (about 5 minutes).
# Add the milk mixture to the potato mixture in large saucepan and stir in the clams and Tabasco sauce. Cover saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes.

Serving Size: one and a half cups

Number of Servings: 24

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user SPANKYKITTY1.