Legal Seafood Clam Chowder Recipe

Name: Legal Seafood Clam Chowder Recipe
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound of fresh clams (littleneck clams or cherrystone clams work best); 2 medium-sized potatoes, diced into small cubes; 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped; 2 stalks of celery, diced; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 strips of thick-cut bacon, diced; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 2 cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup clam juice (bottled or reserved from your fresh clams); Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1 bay leaf; Optional Toppings; Crusty bread or oyster crackers for serving; Fresh chopped parsley