She-Crab Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 2 (8-ounce) bottles clam juice
• 6 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (about 3/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 8 ounces lump crabmeat, drained and shell pieces removed
• Chopped chives (optional)