Summer Corn Chowder

Name: Summer Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 1 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil or unsalted butter; 1 small red onion, thinly sliced; 1 stalk celery, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces; 5-6 medium red or yellow potatoes, with peel, cut in fourths; 1 dried bay leaf; 2 cups water; 1 tsp fresh thyme; 1 cup milk; 2 cups grilled corn kernals (roughly 4 ears of corn); 1/2 medium red pepper, seeded & coarsly chopped; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional); 1/2-1 Tbsp sea salt; 1 pinch black pepper, to taste; 1 Tbsp butter; 3-4 leaves fresh basil