Manhattan-Style Fish Chowder

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 3/4 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups chopped peeled red potato
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (8-ounce) bottles clam juice
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 pounds halibut fillets, skinned and cut into 1-inch pieces