west coast smoked salmon chowder

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large leek, washed, white and green parts only (about 1 cup), thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup red peppers, finely chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
• 1 large red potato, small diced
• 1 can (8 ounces) cream-style corn
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup clam juice
• 1 large bay leaf
• 4-5 ounces smoked salmon, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste (i always use mixed peppercorns)
• ground himalayan sea salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika