How To Cook Artichoke Oyster Soup for Mardi Gras Tuesday

Here's how to cook Artichoke Oyster Soup perfect for Mardi Gras Tuesday.

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/2 cup shallots (chopped fine)
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoon flour
• 14 oz chicken broth (more or less won't hurt)
• 4 cup oysters, drained; reserve liquid (less, to
• 14 oz artichoke hearts, cooked
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 3 tablespoon parsley (chopped, fresh)

Cooking procedure:

1. In a 3-quart casserole, melt butter and saute shallots.
2. When shallots are translucent, add thyme, bay leaf and cayenne pepper.
3. Add flour and whisk well.
4. Add broth, oyster water, artichoke hearts, salt and Tabasco. Bring to a boil.
5. Add oysters and parsley. Simmer on medium, partly covered, for EXACTLY 5 minutes. (Note: If you overcook the oysters, they will be rubbery.)
6. Add whipped cream and serve immediately.

Difficulty: easy.
Time: 20 minutes.
Precision: measure the spices.