Good-Cooking - Stanford Court Hotel Cream of Artichoke Soup

Ingredients

• 6 large artichokes
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 cup blanched hazelnuts
• 3 tablespoons rice flour, available at Asian grocery stores
• 6 tablespoons cold water
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• Salt and pepper, to taste