Salmon Chowder

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Garnish: chopped fresh chives
• 1/2 pound red potatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2 cups chopped scallions (from 2 bunches)
• 1 (1 1/2-pound) piece salmon fillet (preferably wild), skin discarded and fish cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
• 1/8 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic (3 cloves)