Step #1 Bring the water to a boil in an 8-quart pot.
Step #2 Trim the top third off each artichoke & discard, along with the stems.
Step #3 The bottom two-thirds of each artichoke should remain in tact.
Step #4 Set 2 artichoke bottoms aside, quarter the other 6 artichoke bottoms & toss with the lemon juice & olive oil.
Step #5 Transfer quartered artichokes, lemon juice, & oil to the water & boil for 10 mins.
Step #6 Drain artichokes.
Step #7 Melt 4 tbsps of butter in a 4-quart pot & add the cooked artichokes.
Step #8 Stir them over low heat/flame for about 10 mins, be careful not to let the butter burn.
Step #9 Pour in the stock & boil for 20 mins.
Step #10 Melt the remaining 4 tbsps of butter.
Step #11 Dip the bread slices into the melted butter & sauté over med-heat/flame until golden brown, 3 to 4 mins per side.
Step #12 Add the cooked bread to the pot with the artichokes & let simmer for 5 mins.
Step #13 Remove from heat & add the cream.
Step #14 Spice up with salt & pepper to taste.
Step #15 Puree the soup in a food processor/blender, then run it through a food mill until smooth.
Step #16 Cool 1-1/2 c of soup in the freezer.
Step #17 Puree the chervil in the chilled soup (make sure the soup is cold before you puree the chervil, because if it is hot, the chervil will turn brown).
Step #18 Heat the chervil mixture to 200ºF.
Step #19 Thinly slice the reserved artichoke bottoms & fry in vegetable oil until golden brown, about 2 to 3 mins.
Step #20 Drain on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Step #21 Evenly distribute the hot soup among 8 bowls.
Step #22 Drizzle the chervil mixture over the soup & garnish with the fried artichokes.
Enjoy the Cream of Artichoke Soup With Chervil & Fried Artichokes recipe