Oyster Stew With Virginia Ham Recipes

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, melt the 4 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour, stirring constantly and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onions and celery and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the milk and oyster liquid. Season the mixture with salt, cayenne and black pepper. Bring the liquid up to a simmer. Simmer the liquid for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the oysters, garlic and parsley. Bring the liquid back up to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the oysters curl. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and remove from the heat. Ladle the soup into the terrine.

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.

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the celery and shallots until shallots are tender.
• Pour half-and-half into a large pot over medium-high heat. Mix in the butter, celery, and shallot mixture. Stir continuously. When the mixture is almost boiling, pour the oysters and their liquid into the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir continuously until the oysters curl at the ends. When the oysters curl the stew is finished cooking; turn off the heat and serve.

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.