Growing up, oysters were a holiday standby in my family and my dad’s stew consisted of milk, butter, oysters salt and pepper, I have since updated it to a thicker creamier version with a touch of nutmeg. – Joe
Nostalgia Farms’ Christmas Eve Oyster Stew
Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1 leek diced fine
2 stalks celery diced fine
1 garlic clove
¼ cup flour
1 quart shucked oysters
4-6 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon fresh nutmeg
Salt and pepper
Directions:
1. In large soup pot, melt butter and sauté onion, leek, celery and garlic until tender, then add flour and cook an additional minute to cook flour.
2. Drain oysters and reserve liquid.
3. Deglaze cooked vegetables and flour mixture with reserved oyster liquid and hot sauce. Wisk in 4 cups milk and cook until hot slightly thickened. Add cream and more milk if desired.
4. Add oysters and nutmeg and cook for a few minutes, do not boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve immediately with oyster crackers and a grating of nutmeg on top.
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Joe Dennis is a farmer at Nostalgia Farms in Walcott, Iowa. Together with his partner, Ed Kraklio, they sell locally-grown, organic produce at the Freight House Farmer’s Market in downtown Davenport, IA near LeClaire Park, every Tuesday (3-6 pm) and Saturday (8 am -1 pm). You can visit the farm’s website at: www.nostalgiafarms.com. Read more of Farmer Joe’s blog posts on MVHNews, or try any of the Nostalgia Farms recipes on this website. |
