Tilapia Corn Chowder

I am very excited to try this recipe. I love chowders but hate all the fat that gets stuffed inside. This recipe started out as healthy, and I just made it a little more healthy with some of my substitutions. Today is a great day for this soup! Cloudy, rainy, and a little snowy :) Bring on the fresh baked bread and this yummy bowl of warmness! :)

Ingredients
2 ounces bacon*, (about 2 slices)
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 stalk celery, diced
1 leek, white part only, halved lengthwise, rinsed and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
2 cups fresh corn kernels, (about 4 ears)
1 1/2 pounds tilapia fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1 cup half-and-half*
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, (optional) 

*I use turkey bacon (instead of regular bacon) & greek yogurt (instead of the half-and-half)

Instructions
Chop bacon and cook in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Add oil to the pan. Add celery, leek, salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables just begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add broth, potatoes and corn. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the potatoes are just tender and the corn is cooked through, about 8 minutes. Stir in tilapia and thyme; return to a gentle simmer. Cook until the tilapia is cooked through, about 4 minutes more. Remove from the heat.

Stir in half-and-half, lemon juice and the reserved bacon. Garnish with chives, if using.


Recipe & photo adapted from Eating Well