Artichoke Bisque

Ingredients

some green onions
65 gr flour
425 gr butter
1,400 ml beef stock
2 ribs celery
3 onions
2 bay leaves
1 gr thyme
2 clove garlic
2 packages artichoke hearts
1/4 tabasco
240 ml wine dry
110 ml cream
3 gr parsley

Instructions

Melt the butter in a heavy pot and add the flour. Over a low heat cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly add the stock and when well mixed, add the celery, onions, greeen onions, bay leaves, thyme and garlic. Let this simmer for 45 minutes. Chop the artichoke hearts fairly fine and then add to the pot along with the artichoke water. Cook at a low simmer for another 30 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, the Tabasco, wine and cream and bring to a simmer. Do NOT boil. The bisque is now ready to serve. Sprinkle a bit of parsley over the bisque in each plate. With a slice of French bread, it's a Creole treat for your bon appetit. Recipe from Leon E. Soniat in his "Creole Kitchen" column in the Times-Picayune.