Heat 2 tbsp of the vegetable broth In a large pot.
Add the onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the celery and sweet potato and continue to sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes. Add more vegetable broth if needed.
Add the remaining vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, black pepper, smoked paprika and cook for 10 minutes or until the potato is soft.
Add the corn, oat milk or milk alternative and liquid smoke and cook until heated.
With an immersion blender, blend the chowder to the consistency you like.
Serve.
Notes
If you don’t have an immersion blender, use a high speed blender to blend the chowder in batches. Be careful, the chowder is hot.