Grandpa's Oyster Stew

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

This oyster bisque features oysters simmered in shallots, cream, and sherry, topped with paprika: the perfect stew for a winter evening.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 shallots, minced
1/2 cup dry sherry or dry white wine
24 freshly shucked oysters, oyster liquor reserved
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
sea salt to taste
1 pinch sweet paprika
1 cup oyster crackers

Directions

1 Stir butter and garlic in a stockpot over medium heat until butter begins to brown. Remove garlic and discard.
2 Stir shallots into browned butter. Cook and stir until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
3 Pour sherry over shallots in the stockpot and bring to a boil while scraping any browned bits off of the bottom of the pot. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes.
4 Pour reserved oyster liquor, milk, and cream into the stockpot; bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in oysters; cook until oyster edges begin to ruffle, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
5 Stir in parsley; season with sea salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sweet paprika and oyster crackers.