Poached Oysters in Fennel-Saffron Soup

• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butterbutter
• 2 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed, each cut lengthwise into 6 wedgesfennel
• 1 cup waterwater
• 1 tablespoon olive oilolive-oil
• 3 garlic cloves, choppedgarlic
• 1/8 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads
• 4 8-ounce bottles clam juice
• 1 cup whipping creamcream
• 3 tablespoons Pernod or other anise-flavored liqueurliqueur
• 3 cups freshly shucked oysters or three 8-ounce jars shucked oystersoyster

1. 01Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add fennel and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add 1 cup water; cover and cook until fennel is very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree fennel mixture in processor. Set aside.
2. 02Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saffron; sauté 1 minute. Add clam juice, cream, and Pernod and bring to simmer. Add fennel puree and bring to simmer. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold. Cover and keep refrigerated. Simmer before continuing.) Add oysters with their liquor to cream mixture and stir to heat through. Ladle soup into bowls.

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