Maryland Oyster Stew

by Chef Justin Moore

Maryland Oyster Stew

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 6 strips Bacon
  • 1 Onion finely diced
  • 3 Carrots peeled and finely diced
  • 2 cups Yellow Wax potato chopped
  • 2 cloves Fresh garlic
  • 1 cup Dry white wine 9such as Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1 quart Vegetable stock
  • 1 pint Cream
  • 1 tbsp Fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Paprika
  • 2 tsp Lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp Parsley
  • 1 dozen Maryland oysters Fresh or canned plus liquor
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry
  • 1/4 cup water

Method
 

  1. Over medium low heat cook bacon in a pan til lightly crisp do not burn and drain off 80% of the fat.
  2. Remove the bacon and add the butter to the pan.
  3. Once the butter is melted add onion, carrot, celery, bell pepper, and potatoes. Cook on low heat until the onions begin to soften.
  4. Add fresh minced garlic and cooked bacon.
  5. Add white wine and deglaze the pan. Use a spoon to scrape brown bits off the bottom and continue to cook until reduced by 2/3.
  6. Add vegetable stock (You can also substitute with water, chicken stock, and/or fish stock).
  7. Add cream.
  8. Add all the spices and bring mixture to a low simmer for 20 minutes.
  9. Add the cornstarch slurry and cook another 2 minutes. (If the soup is too thick add water or vegetable stock until it reaches desired consistency)
  10. Finally add the oysters and liquor and continue to cook another 5 minutes on a low simmer.
  11. Add salt to taste (Oysters differ in salt content depending on source salinity levels so you may want to adjust here).
  12. Garnish with a fresh squeeze of lemon and/or Maryland Oyster Dressing and enjoy!