Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      cup           small pasta shape
   3      cups          low-fat milk
   1      10 ounces bo  frozen mixed vegetables
                        thawed and drained or
   1 1/2  cups          chopped fresh vegetables
     1/2  teaspoon      dried thyme
     1/2  teaspoon      paprika
   1 1/2  tablespoons   cornstarch
   1      6 ounces can  clams -- drained
                        salt
                        ground pepper

Preparation:

Put pasta in a large pot of boiling water. Drain and rinse under cold water when done. Combine 2 1/2 cups milk, vegetables, thyme, paprika, and pasta in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until bubbles form around edge of milk. In another bowl, stir remaining 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch together to dissolve cornstarch. Stir this mixture into soup and heat to simmering. Add clams and simmer for about 3 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.