Clam Chowder

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups oyster crackers
• 1 cup milk
• 4 ounces pancetta, cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 dozen cherrystone clams
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 dozen littleneck clams
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 2 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
• 2 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 head garlic, sliced in 1/2 horizontally
• 1 quart water
• Parmesan Oyster Crackers, recipe follows
• 1 handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 2 cups heavy cream