Artichoke Bisque

Ingredients

some green onions
8 tb flour
16 oz butter
6 c beef stock
2 ribs celery
3 onions
2 bay leaves
1/4 ts thyme
2 clove garlic
2 packages artichoke hearts
1/4 tabasco
1 c wine dry
4 oz cream
2 tb 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.