Dad’s Oyster Stew
One thing we could count on having for New Year’s was oyster stew. Dad loved it. Mom didn’t, but she made it for him nonetheless. And we children knew we’d eat whatever Mom served or go hungry. I didn’t care to go hungry, so this is how I became fond of oyster stew. 😄
Dad was particular about how it was made. Nothing fancy for him. One time Mom tried to doctor it up with bits of celery and onion to make it more palatable for her, but Dad hated it. Oddly enough, so did I!
I learned to make it plain. Just three ingredients: milk, margarine, and oysters. Maybe some salt & pepper for seasoning. Mom ate (sipped?) the hot milk mixture, refusing to eat any of the actual oysters. She loaded her bowl up with crackers, and that’s how I learned to eat it, too. Only I was brave enough to taste a couple oysters each year. I discovered if I ate them with lots of crackers, the saltines drowned out their flavor. 😁
This is Dad’s oyster stew. I still eat it with lots of crackers.
Dad’s Oyster Stew
Ingredients
- 16 oz fresh oysters or canned oysters
- ½ cup butter or margarine
- 4 cups milk or half & half depending on your desired creaminess
- salt & pepper to taste
- oyster crackers
Directions
- Measure milk into microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high until very hot; about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Drain and rinse oysters. Add to melted butter and simmer, stirring occasionally, until oysters' edges ruffle; about 4 minutes.
- Add milk to oysters and stir. Remove from heat.
- Serve hot with soup crackers.
Notes
If this recipe is too plain for your taste, try this deluxe oyster stew recipe my oldest brother sent me.
