Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   6      tablespoons   butter
   1      cup           minced onion
     1/2  cup           chopped celery
     1/4  cup           minced carrot
   6      tablespoons   flour
   3      cups          milk
   2      cups          chicken stock
     1/4  teaspoon      ground nutmeg
     1/4  teaspoon      white pepper
     1/4  teaspoon      cayenne pepper
   1      cup           heavy cream
     1/4  cup           sherry
   1      pound         crab meat -- with roe

Preparation:

1. Chop the vegetables in a food processor to a fine consistency. 2. Melt the butter on medium heat in a 6-qt. soup pot; add the vegetables and sweat, covered for 5 minutes. 3. Whisk in the flour and stir for 2 minutes. Add the liquids and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. 4. Reduce the heat and add the cream, sherry and seasonings. So that your guests can *fortify* the soup, it's traditional to have a cruet of sherry at the table