FINE OYSTER AND ARTICHOKE SOUP 4 large artichokes 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter 2/3 cup chopped shallot, leek (including pale green portion) or yellow onion 1 cup sliced celery 4 cups fish stock, poultry stock, or 2 cups canned chicken broth, preferably low-salt type, diluted with 2 cups water or dry white wine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream Salt Freshly ground black pepper Ground cayenne pepper About 1/4 cup dry sherry 1 pint freshly shucked small to medium-sized oysters Chopped fresh chives for garnish Freshly grated parmesan cheese for sprinkling (optional) Boil, steam, or microwave the artichokes until tender. Pull off the leaves and scrape the pulp into a bowl. Discard the fuzzy choke and chop the bottoms. Set aside. In a soup pot or large, heavy saucepan, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of the butter over medium heat. Add the shallot, leek, or onion and celery and sauté until soft but not golden, about 5 minutes. Add the artichoke pulp and sauté 1-minute longer. Stir in the stock or diluted broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Working in batches, if necessary, transfer the soup to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into a clean pot and bring to a simmer over low heat. In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and lightly golden. Stir the mixture into the simmering soup and blend well. Stir in the cream and season to taste with salt, peppers, and sherry. Add the oysters and simmer until the oysters are cooked, about 4 minutes. Ladle the soup into preheated bowls, garnish with chives, and serve immediately. Offer the cheese at the table, if desired. Alternatively, before adding the oysters, ladle the soup into a container and refrigerate, uncovered, until cool, then tightly cover and store for up to 3 days. Slowly reheat before adding oysters, garnishing, and serving. A Great Meal Idea!
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
