TTR – Celery

Everyone who has even been on a diet, has at one time or another, crunched a stalk of celery in defiance. I call it the angry veggie, lol. Angry because I ate so many of those crisp stalks when I was “dieting” in my younger years and angry too, because of the loud CRUNCH it made while chomping down. I know a lot of you can relate!

But celery is more than just one of the magical ingredients in the holy trilogy of cooking (onion, carrot and celery). It’s a natural diuretic, a blood pressure calmer, and the coumarins that bountifully preside in celery help your immune response become even more pronounced. Good stuff this celery!

Here’s today’s TRICK:

When you bring home your celery, wrap it in aluminum foil and store it in the crisper of your fridge. No kidding, it will last at least a month!

Here’s a TIP:

Buy organic celery. The Environmental Working Group rates celery as one of its “Dirty Dozen”—a top 12 list of most heavily sprayed produce. If you’re using the foil tip above, you won’t have any waste.

And your RECIPE:

We’re getting toward the end of being able to have soup! Here’s the last hurrah, folks—enjoy!

Manhattan Clam Chowder
Serves 6

6 slices turkey bacon
1 large onion, finely chopped
24 ounces canned clams, and juice
1 1/2 cups turnips, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
3 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 (24-oz.) can diced tomatoes

In a large saucepan, cook turkey bacon and onion, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp and onion is tender

Stir clams and their juice, turnips, celery and broth into bacon and onion. Heat to boiling; reduce heat; cover and simmer about 10 minutes, or until turnips are tender.

Add diced tomatoes to saucepan along with remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally, then serve.

Per serving: 112 Calories; 1g Total Fat; 14g Protein; 2g Dietary Fiber; 11g Carbohydrate; 31mg Cholesterol; 576mg Sodium Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable.