From thekitchen.com which explains: 'Not only is this soup delicious, but, like most of our favorite soups, it's also ridiculously easy to prepare. The key is being careful with the few steps required. Make sure only to soften the shallots in the butter. You don't want to brown them at all. Browning would completely alter the taste of the soup. And when you add the cream and egg, be very careful to control the heat and prevent the soup from boiling. You want to warm the mixture through and thicken it slightly, not accidentally create a custard base. Your reward for these minor efforts will be more than worth the trouble.' CG says: you will save a significant amount of money if you buy shallots in bulk rather in those overpriced net bags.