Red Potato And Leek Chowder With Bacon

• 8 strips thick-cut bacon (about 12 ounces), diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 11/2 pounds medium red potatoes (about 6), scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed (optional)

1. Cook the bacon in a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium heat until browned and crispy, 13 to 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove half the bacon and transfer to a paper towel-lined bowl; set aside. Drain off excess bacon fat from pot, leaving 1 tablespoon.
2. Melt butter in remaining bacon fat and add garlic and leek. Cook until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in thyme and bay leaf and cook until thyme is fragrant, about 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until flour is no longer raw.
3. Gradually whisk in stock and half-and-half. Add potatoes and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until chowder is thickened and potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in peas, if desired, and season to taste. Ladle chowder into individual bowls and garnish with reserved bacon.

bacon, unsalted butter, garlic, only, thyme, bay leaf, kosher salt, ubc, chicken stock, red potatoes, frozen peas

Taken from food52.com/recipes/75022-red-potato-and-leek-chowder-with-bacon (may not work)