96-08 no way creme d'artichauts (cream of artichoke soup)

Ingredients

• 1/3 c olive oil
• 1 white onion (or yellow)
• 3 celery stalks
• 1 leek, chopped (optional)
• 1 14 oz can artichoke hearts (or 1.5 12oz bags Trader Joe frozen hearts, thawed)
• 1 large potato, peeled, chopped
• 4 c vegetable broth
• 2 t salt (or to taste)
• 1 t white pepper
• 3/4 c heavy cream
• 3/4 c evaporated milk or ordinary milk, or half and half
• [total of up to 2 cups combo of milk/cream fat-nonfat ratio to taste]
• 1/2 c Armagnac, cognac, or dry brandy
• 1/3 c hazelnuts, roasted and crumbed