Fresh Asparagus Clam Chowder

Sometimes good things happen in the kitchen,
without to much work or effort on my part.
Today it was such a cold day that I felt
like making some nice hot soup for lunch.
Some fresh asparagus, an onion and celery
and a new soup was born, it's a good one!

Ingredients:
1 slice smoked bacon
1/2 cup cooked asparagus
1/4 cup cooked white rice
1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
8 red grape tomatoes
1/2 cup cooked clams, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Fresh lemon juice
Rye bread with carroway seeds

Directions:
In a large soup pot, cook bacon on low
until fat is renderd, remove bacon.
Add butter and olive oil to pot.
Add onion and celery, cook stirring 5 minutes.
Add asperagus, water,rice, and black pepper,
cook uncovered until warmed through about 10 minutes.
With a slotted spoon remove about one third
of the soup to a food processor and blend
until smooth, return to soup pot.
Add clams and tomatoes.
Squueze with lemon juice just before serving.
Serve with rye bread with carroway seeds.
The bread is what makes this dish special!