pacific northwest razor clam chowder

Ingredients

• 2-3 cans chopped clams with juice (i use 1 limit of razor clams (15) that have been frozen and thawed
• 6 - small red potatoes, chopped
• 1/2 pound applewood smoked bacon, sliced
• 3 - shallots, chopped
• 5 - celery stalks with leaves, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-8 ounce brick of reduced fat cream cheese
• 1/4 cup butter
• 5 cups whole milk
• 1/2 pint heavy cream (optional)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
• 2 dashes tabasco sauce
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup instant potato flakes
• 1 pinch pink himalayan sea salt
• 1 pinch coarsely ground black pepper