Sublimely Simple Oyster Stew
This stew is bursting with the easily recognizable flavour of oysters and the comforting gentleness of cream and butter. Exactly the type of thick soup that can quickly become a weekly request when the temperatures begin to drop and autumn starts to roll in.
Oyster stew really can be modified to your heart is content. For example you can add some cubes of potatoes, corn nibblets or chopped celery for more bulk, or use dill instead of chives to switch things up. You can also double or triple the recipe with great success.
Though it sounds rather off-the-wall, oyster stew is actually very good when topped with a big tablespoon of your favourite pear or apple sauce and garnished with a few sprigs of fresh chives. There's just something about the pairing of the salty, rich oysters and the mild, juicy fruit just seem to work so well together.
Sublimely Simple Oyster Stew
3 cans of oysters in liquor (reserve the liquor – which is in fact not alcohol)
1 cup of milk (I usually use 1%, but that's just because we buy low fat milk, any type would work)
2 cups of heavy cream (I know, this sort of cancels out the whole point of low fat milk ;-))
2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped (I snip mine up with a pair of kitchen scissors)
2 tbsp of unsalted butter (optional)
½ tsp MSG-free seasoning salt (optional) or sea salt, to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste (option – but it makes a big difference)
In a large soup pot (or stove top type of casserole dish) heat the cream, milk and oyster juice (liquor) over medium-high heat, just until everything begins to simmer (not boil). When you get to that stage add in the oysters and chopped chives, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (you won't need much salt, if any, the oysters themselves bring that to the dish already).
Once the oysters are cooked to your desired tenderness, divide the soup amongst 4 serving bowls and swirl half a tablespoon of butter into each dish, if desired.
Serves 4 people