Instructions: Heat a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add salt pork, and cook until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onions, celery and garlic and saute until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add clam juice or fish stock, fish, ptatoes, thyme and bay leaves & simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.

Discard bay leaves. With a slotted spoon, transfer about 2 cups of solids to a bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork. Return to the soup. In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup water. In a small saucepan, scald milk over low heat. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and add to the milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened. Stir into the soup. If necessary, reheat the soup. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley.

COMMENTS: Low-fat
milk thickened with a bit of cornstarch gives this nourishing chowder body and creaminess-without the cream. A little salt pork rounds out the flavor.

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