Pacific Oyster Stew with Dash Onion Powder

Serves 6 in about 20 minutes. Tsp paprika goes in first, and butter finishes the pot.

Ingredients

• 2 pints raw shucked pacific oysters small
• 5 cup whole milk
• ¼ cup butter
• ½ tsp salt plus more to season
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• Dash of garlic powder
• Dash of onion powder

Method

1. In one pot: Heat oysters in their liquor with 1/2 tsp salt until they plump. Don't boil.
2. In the second Pot: Heat milk until just scalded, while stirring now and then.
3. Lift out oysters using a slotted spoon, and add to the scalded milk. Once all of the oysters are removed, carefully pour the liquor into the milk, stopping just before the end so as not to get any sand or shell debris that may have collected on the bottom of the pot.
4. Tip in the butter and seasonings.
5. While stirring now and then, heat just to boiling point and remove from heat.
6. Adjust seasonings, add more salt & pepper as needed.
7. Plate immediately.
8. Garnish with a pat of butter, and your choice of chives, parsley, and cracked black pepper.

More soups and stews ideas are in the soups and stews collection.