Vegan Potato Corn Chowder

Name: Vegan Potato Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegan butter; 1 medium white or yellow onion (diced); 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced); 2 stalks celery (diced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (about 4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped); 3-4 ears fresh sweet corn; 4 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup cashew cream (recipe follows; see notes for substitutions); 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh thyme); 2 bay leaves; salt and black pepper (to taste); 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked 4+ hours or overnight); 2/3 cup water; fresh scallions or chives (chopped); crumbled tofu or tempeh bacon; smoked paprika