Brigsten's Oysters Bienville Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup thinly sliced bacon
• 1 cup diced ham (¼-inch pieces)
• 3 cups finely diced yellow onion
• 2 cups finely diced celery
• 1 cup finely diced green bell pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon + ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried whole-leaf thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried whole-leaf oregano
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 cups sliced green onions
• 1 cup diced shrimp
• ¼ cup dry sack sherry
• 1 cup oyster liquor
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups cream
• ¾ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose white flour
• 36 oysters on the half-shell