If you’ve never had oyster stew, you’re definitely missing out. It’s similar to clam chowder with its rich, silky, luxurious and full of briny umami flavor. If you like oysters, this is the dish for you!
Some versions are essentially just oysters and cream, but I like to add bacon, potato or even other creative additions but it is generally agreed that as soon as you add these ingredients you’ve crossed the line from oyster stew to chowder.
The star of this recipe is the smoked oysters. The smoked oysters added a smokey richness to this stew/chowder recipe that is hard to duplicate. It cooks up quickly and is hearty enough to be a main meal.
If you aren’t accustomed to eating smoked oysters, they are delicious and packed full of healthy nutrients. Oysters are a shellfish that have vitamin C, zinc, protein, iron, and selenium. (Selenium is great for keeping your brain happy!)
Serve this rich and creamy stew/chowder with some focaccia bread, traditional oyster crackers or saltine crackers. Love it!
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- 6 cups water w/ 2 Tbsp vegetable bouillon powder
- 700 gm (1 1/2 LB) about 6 small Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
- 4-6 slices bacon, cooked crisp & broken into pieces
- 200 gm onion, chopped
- 200 gm mushrooms, chopped
- 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 1/2 scant cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups half & half
- 4 sprigs Italian parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp SMOKY RANCHERO seasoning or to taste
- 1 tsp OLD BAY seafood seasoning
- 2 tsp veg salt
- 170 gm smoked oysters, drained & halved
- oyster crackers, saltines or focaccia bread for serving
Ingredients
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- Cut up unpeeled potatoes into bite-sized cubed & boil in water with vegetable bouillon powder until tender in a small saucepan. Drain & reserve broth. Set potatoes aside.
- In a saucepan, fry bacon until cooked but not crisp. Blot on paper towel. In bacon drippings, sauté onions until nearly tender then add mushrooms & garlic. Cook until mushrooms have released their moisture.
- Add reserved vegetable broth, flour, half & half, Italian parsley, smoky ranchero seasoning, seafood seasoning, veg salt. Simmer until boiling. Cook until sauce thickens then add potatoes, chopped bacon & oysters. Carefully combine all ingredients, Serve with your choice of crackers or focaccia bread.