Luxurious Crab Bisque

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 cups (1.4 L) water
• 1 pound (450 g) crab shells (about 2-3 whole crabs or shell remnants)
• 3 tablespoons (45 g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) dry sherry
• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• 1 pound (450 g) fresh crab meat, picked over for shells
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish (optional)