pat's Recipe

Holiday Oyster Stew

Category: SOUPS/STEWS

3 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
2 shallots, minced
1 medium yellow onion, minced
1/2 cup(s) minced celery
1 quart(s) half-and-half
1 quart(s) milk
1/4 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon(s) salt
1 teaspoon(s) cracked black pepper
2 pint(s) fresh, raw, shucked oysters, liquor reserved
2 tablespoon(s) 1-inch-long pieces chives (optional)

Directions

Make the soup: Melt butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Saute the shallot, onion, and celery until soft -- about 5 minutes. Stir in half-and-half, milk, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Heat to just under a boil. Add oysters and their liquor. Simmer just until the oysters begin to curl on the edges -- about 5 minutes. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with chives, if desired.

serves 8.