Vegan Clam Chowder

scant 3/4 cup diced yellow onion
1/3 cup finely diced celery (about one stalk)
4 slices Yves' Deli-Style "Ham", diced
6 Tbsp Earth Balance margarine
6 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp powdered sage
1 lb. Dutch creamer potatoes (or any other variety), cubed
4 oz Tofutti cream cheese (1/2 container)
1 1/4 cups unsweetened soymilk
2.5 cups water plus 1.5 packets (12 g) konbu dashi stock seasoning
(or 2.5 cups liquid konbu dashi stock*)
2 cups diced oyster mushrooms
fresh chives, for garnish

In a medium bowl, whisk together the soymilk and cream cheese - there will still be little bits of cream cheese, but it should mostly mix. Set aside.

Sauté the onion and celery in 2 Tbsp of the Earth Balance over medium-low heat until soft and lightly browned. Add the sage and "ham" and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add the rest of the Earth Balance and flour to make a roux. Once the flour has been lightly toasted, add the water, dashi seasoning, and potatoes, and bring to a boil. Turn down to simmer (and stir often to prevent the flour from burning), until the potatoes are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the soymilk/Tofutti mixture and oyster mushrooms. Return to a boil and then simmer for about 10 more minutes, until the mushrooms are soft and the soup is thick. Add salt to taste, and garnish with chives.

For an even "fishier" flavor, you can add flaked dulse to taste at any point in cooking.

Serves four.

* recipe for home-made dashi stock: http://japanesefood.about.com/od/soup/r/konbudashi.htm If using this, use the same amount of kelp but only 2.5 cups water (not 4 cups as stated) to make a more concentrated broth.