Vegan Corn Chowder

Name: Vegan Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp vegan butter/margarine (or use olive oil); 1 large brown onion (peeled and diced); 2 sticks celery (finely chopped); 1 large red bell pepper (diced); 4 cloves garlic (peeled and crushed); 1 tsp dried thyme (or 4 sprigs fresh); rounded 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 bay leaf; 3 Tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour; 750 ml (3 cups) vegetable stock; 1 400 ml (14oz) can coconut milk (either light or full fat is fine)*; 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast (optional); 600 g (2 large) potatoes (diced); 600 g (4 cups) frozen sweetcorn; 1 rounded tsp sriracha hot sauce (optional); salt and pepper