Oyster-Brie Soup

This is a wonderful Thanksgiving or Christmas soup recipe for those who like oysters.  It’s an artery clogger, but what the heck, it’s the holiday season!
Oyster-Brie Soup
(Serves 8)
Ingredients:
1. 3 dozen oysters or 1-3 quart jars, depending on your love of oysters.
2. 4 cups cold water
3. 2 sticks unsalted butter
4. ½ cup flour
5. 1 cup coarsely chopped onions
6. ½ cup coarsely chopped celery
7. ½ tsp white pepper
8. ½ tsp red pepper, or to taste
9. 1 lbs brie wedges
10. 2 cups heavy cream, or half-and-half
11. ½ cup champagne or white wine
Instructions:
1. Combine oysters and water, and place in Frig for one hour.
2. Melt butter, add flour, and beat.
3. Add onions and celery, and sauté
4. Stir in pepper, add cheese and stir until cheese melts, being careful not to let it scorch. Add cream and champagne/wine, and keep stirring. Cook for 4 minutes at simmer.
5. Separately bring oysters to a boil. Turn off the heat and add all the oysters to the soup and add the oyster water until you have the consistency you want.
(Note: you can also add the uncooked oysters directly to the soup if you have them in quart jars, then add water as needed to reach the consistency you like. The oysters will cook just find in the hot soup.)