Cozy Red-Hued Recipe: Ina Garten's Manhattan Clam Chowder Magic

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 10 oz (283 g) whole baby clams, drained
• 1 lb (454 g) russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
• ½ cup (80 g) onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled, quartered, and sliced
• ½ cup (60 g) celery, sliced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (60 g) tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 16 oz (473 ml) clam juice
• 2 cups (473 ml) chicken broth
• 28 oz (794 g) tomatoes, diced, undrained
• ½ teaspoon thyme, dried
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
• oyster crackers (optional)
• additional cooked bacon (optional)