Oyster and Artichoke Soup

1/2 cup butter

1 cup chopped green onion, divided

1/2 cup chopped celery heart

3 cloves garlic, pressed

5 cups minced fresh artichokes hearts (about 6 to 8 artichokes)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1-quart chicken stock

1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme

1-quart oysters, drained and chopped (reserve liquor)

1 bay leaf

1/3 cup sherry

3 cups half and half

In a heavy bottom soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté 1/2 cup green onion for 2 minutes. Add celery and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until you smell the aroma, about 1 minute. Add the artichokes and sauté to heat through, about 3 minutes.

Sprinkle flour over mixture and continue to stir and coat, being careful not to let the flour brown, about 2 minutes.

Gradually add the stock, stirring constantly. Bring to a slow boil. Add the cayenne, salt, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes.

Add the oyster liquor, bay leaf and sherry and simmer for 10 minutes. Do not allow the soup to boil. Add the half and half and stir to fully incorporate. Add oysters, stirring for additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve. Garnish with remaining green onions.

Fried Oyster Tacos with Salsa

Salsa

1 cup grapefruit, diced

1 jalapenos, finely diced

2 green onions, finely diced

1/2 cup fresh cilantro finely diced

1 cup tomatoes, diced

juice of 1 lime

sea salt and pepper to taste

Fried Oysters

3 dozen oysters in brine

1 1 / 2 cups whole milk

2 1 / 2 cups fine yellow cornmeal

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons Creole seasoning

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Oil to fill deep flyer or fry pan

To Finish

Flour or corn tortillas

cilantro leaves

avocado sliced

lime wedges

lettuce or cabbage

Instructions-Citrus Salsa

Combine all ingredients in a (salsa-sized) bowl. Stir well to combine. If your lime is dry, you may want to squeeze a second one. Set aside.

Garnishes

Prep all garnishes. Place in appropriately sized bowls. Set aside.

Fried Oysters

Drain oysters from brine and transfer to milk. Heat oil to 375 degrees.

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Begin coating the oysters one by one by removing them from the milk and allowing the milk to drip off enough that the oysters are still damp but not overly wet. Roll each oyster in cornmeal to thoroughly coat patting the coating in where necessary. Lay them on wax paper and continue to coat until all are ready to fry.

Place 6-8 oysters in the oil careful not to overfill and fry until the sides curl about a minute to a minute and a half. The oysters will turn golden. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain.