Clam Chowder - Great Easy Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bacon (chopped)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups clam juice (or seafood stock)
• 1 cup chicken broth (optional, for a lighter broth)
• 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet, peeled and diced)
• 2 cups chopped clams (fresh, canned, or frozen, with juice reserved)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• ½ cup dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• Fresh parsley (chopped)
• Crispy bacon bits
• Cracked black pepper
• Oyster crackers or crusty bread