Directions

- melt butter in pan
- dice onions and celery finely. sweat in pan

- while this is happening, cook diced potatoes separately in another vessel. salt the water if you wish.

- before veggies are browned, add flour to coat all the veggies. I think this is how a lazy man creates a roux.

- Once you have that mixed up, add the clam juice a little at a time, eliminate all lumps if possible. Scrape whatever is at the bottom of the pan.

- add milk slowly, and mix all together.

- add the bay leaves, clams, juice and all

- add the drained potatoes, which should be al dente at this point.

- simmer, stir frequently, reduce until thickened

add salt/pepper to taste