Oyster Artichoke Soup New Orleans Style

By ROBandSEAN

Original version was a gift from the Late chef Warren LeRuth. Every restaurant in the Big Easy has this on their menu.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 bunches green onions, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1-3/4 pounds fresh cut artichoke hearts, or ◦ 3 9-oz. packages frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted and quartered
• ◦ 2 (14 oz) cans artichoke hearts, washed, drained, and quartered (save canned hearts as a last resort)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 to 1-1/2 quarts homemade chicken stock
• Cayenne to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 quart oysters, drained and chopped (reserve liquor)
• 1/3 cup sherry
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup milk

Preparation

Step 1

In a heavy 4-quart pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add the green onion, celery, and garlic and saute' until soft. Add the artichokes. Sprinkle the mixture with the flour and stir to coat the vegetables well, but do not let the flour brown. Gradually add the stock, stirring constantly. Add the cayenne, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Simmer the mixture, covered, for 1 hour. Add the oysters, oyster liquor, and sherry and simmer for 10 minutes. Do not allow the soup to boil. Stir in the cream and milk. Cool and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Before serving, heat the soup slowly over low heat. Serves 8 bowls or 16 cups.