Oyster Stew

[TripleTriple]

Pretty dreary out so I thought I'd do some cooking. Decided make more oyster stew. I know olds will have a recipe for me, what does everyone else put in?

My favorite so far- simple four ingredients

Oysters
Butter
Half & Half
White Pepper

I usually substitute some of the butter with olive oil and adjust the amount of liquid relative to the oysters so that it's concentrated for freezing as well as pepper to taste. Last time I put celery, celery seed, onion and carrots in based on a family friend's recipe.

Oh, and OTC crackers mandatory.

[olds442jetaway]

Sounds great TT. My mom’s favorite. We did add onion or scallions to ours and celery. My dad liked tiny cubed potatoes in his. Sometimes she made it that way for him. At any rate, always delicious.

[TripleTriple]

Thanks olds. Forgot to mention the number one rule: only buy oysters in months containing an "r"... I stay on the cautious side and don't buy them in September or April either...

[olds442jetaway]

And I forgot to mention something I’m sure you know already. When the edges of the Oysters start to curl, they’re done. When Stu when the edges start to curl they’re done.

[TripleTriple]

Ha, yeah, learned the hard way. First time I cut them ALL up and thus couldn't tell. Then I left ONE whole but had a helluva time finding it. Now I leave em whole then cut some after cooking or leave them as is.

[tech58]

Pretty dreary out so I thought I'd do some cooking. Decided make more oyster stew. I know olds will have a recipe for me, what does everyone else put in?

My favorite so far- simple four ingredients

Oysters
Butter
Half & Half
White Pepper

I usually substitute some of the butter with olive oil and adjust the amount of liquid relative to the oysters so that it's concentrated for freezing as well as pepper to taste. Last time I put celery, celery seed, onion and carrots in based on a family friend's recipe.

Oh, and OTC crackers mandatory.

Celery and onion are great adds.
I also use 1/2-1t of fresh thyme, 1/4-1/2t hot sauce, and 1/4-1/2t of Old Bay.
Oysters are mostly water. Overcooking causes great shrinkage.
I have made many hundreds of batches in the last 60 years and In my opinion the "edges curling" adage leads to overcooking. The hot pan continues to cook as you unload it, and also in the bowl.
After all, raw oysters are great, so why COOK them in a stew?
Try tuning heat off, adding oysters to only WARM thru. Bowl fast and enjoy. You may have to adjust timing here slightly based on your cookware. My All-Clad retains heat very well and warms quickly. I think you will be amazed at the difference with still very plump oysters.

[TripleTriple]

Pretty dreary out so I thought I'd do some cooking. Decided make more oyster stew. I know olds will have a recipe for me, what does everyone else put in?

My favorite so far- simple four ingredients

Oysters
Butter
Half & Half
White Pepper

I usually substitute some of the butter with olive oil and adjust the amount of liquid relative to the oysters so that it's concentrated for freezing as well as pepper to taste. Last time I put celery, celery seed, onion and carrots in based on a family friend's recipe.

Oh, and OTC crackers mandatory.

Celery and onion are great adds.
I also use 1/2-1t of fresh thyme, 1/4-1/2t hot sauce, and 1/4-1/2t of Old Bay.
Oysters are mostly water. Overcooking causes great shrinkage.
I have made many hundreds of batches in the last 60 years and In my opinion the "edges curling" adage leads to overcooking. The hot pan continues to cook as you unload it, and also in the bowl.
After all, raw oysters are great, so why COOK them in a stew?
Try tuning heat off, adding oysters to only WARM thru. Bowl fast and enjoy. You may have to adjust timing here slightly based on your cookware. My All-Clad retains heat very well and warms quickly. I think you will be amazed at the difference with still very plump oysters.

Thyme is a great add...Old Bay is ok too, but I can't do the salt so I leave it out and just put in the celery seed. Also has paprika- for which I use the Hungarian hot. As far as the cooking time, yes, I agree on not overcooking- like most seafood. I bring near to a boil and add the oysters for about 3 or 4 minutes, about long enough to bring back to simmer. Liquid is added on heating. I'm actually having a cup now!

[tech58]

The paprika sounds great. Will try subbing that for the hot sauce.