Virginia Oyster Stew Food

VIRGINIA OYSTER STEW

Steps:

• Place milk, cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a medium saucepan or soup pot. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring regularly, just until hot (about 10 minutes). Do not boil.
• In a separate skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add the oysters, liquor and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté until the edge of the oysters just begin to curl (2-3 minutes). Transfer the oyster mixture to the pot of milk, and cook over medium-low heat for about 2 more minutes. Do not boil.
• Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chives or paprika, if desired.

MOM'S OYSTER STEW

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt and pepper; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in the milk and half-and-half, and transfer to the top of a double boiler. If you do not have one, set the pan of soup over a pan of simmering water.
• When the milk is hot, add the oysters and heat just until the oysters are opaque. Do not allow to boil. Season with fresh parsley, cayenne pepper and sherry. Go easy on the sherry until you are sure you like it in the stew.

OYSTER STEW WITH VIRGINIA HAM

Steps:

• Using 2 forks, shred ham into bite-size pieces. (You should have 1 cup.)
• In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in ham. Increase heat to high and add cider; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add cream, and heat through, stirring often, until just bubbling, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in oysters and liquor; cook until oysters turn opaque and begin to curl, 1 to 2 minutes. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 bowls and serve, with crackers and more pepper.

OYSTER STEW

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant and cut into 1 inch cubes then boil in a small bit of water for 10 minutes.
• Drain then add the milk, butter, salt and crackers.
• Simmer five minutes.
• Serve hot.
• If using the onions and celery saute them in 3 tbsp of butter and add to soup mix. Add the hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce before serving or during simmer.
• Note: Non Vegetarians can use regular worcestershire sauce.