OYSTER VELOUTé WITH BLACK CAVIAR

Steps:

• In a saucepan, melt the butter and soften the shallots but do not brown. Blend in the flour and cook over low heat, stirring often, for 10 minutes. (The roux should be smooth and golden.) In another saucepan, combine and warm the stocks. Gradually add stocks to the roux, stirring constantly, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, skimming off any scum that forms on the top. Add the salt.
• Strain oysters and reserve their liquor. Purée oysters in a food processor or blender and add them with their liquor to the soup. Simmer, partly covered, for 5 minutes, then add cayenne. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing hard with a spoon. (Soup may be prepared ahead to this point.)
• About 5 or 10 minutes before serving, reheat the soup. Whisk yolks and cream together. Slowly whisk in a cup of the hot soup, then stir the cream mixture back into the soup. Stir constantly over low heat, until soup thickens slightly. Bring almost to the boil and remove from heat. Add lemon juice and taste for seasonings. Ladle into serving bowls and top each with about a teaspoon of caviar.