Recipe: Oyster & Artichoke Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon fresh oysters with their liquid reserved
• 2 14-oz cans of artichokes, pulsed in a food processor
• 1 1/2 onions, finely chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup celery, chopped fine
• 1/2 cup green bell peppers, chopped fine
• 1/2 cup leeks, chopped fine
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 gallon chicken stock or vegetable stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup sherry
• 1 bay leaf
• 10 sprigs fresh thyme
• Salt
• pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
• Crabmeat to garnish