Description
Barefoot Contessa’s oyster stew blends coastal comfort with rich New England tradition. Creamy pearl-like oysters swim in a delicate broth that welcomes winter’s gentle warmth, inviting you to savor coastal simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 dozen oysters (shucked and drained, reserve liquid)
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 6 tbsps (85 g) butter (4 tbsps for cooking, 2 tbsps for finishing)
- 2 tbsps (16 g) flour
- 1 cup (160 g) chopped onions
- ½ cup (75 g) chopped celery
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic
- ¼ cup (15 g) finely chopped parsley
- Salt (to taste)
- Cayenne pepper (to taste)
- Fresh black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Roux Preparation: Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat, whisking flour continuously until a golden, aromatic paste forms with a nutty complexity, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Vegetable Infusion: Introduce diced onions and celery to the roux, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their delicate aromatics, creating a flavor foundation.
- Liquid Integration: Pour milk and oyster liquid into the pan, seasoning with salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Simmer gently, stirring periodically to maintain a smooth consistency and prevent burning.
- Seafood Incorporation: Add fresh oysters, minced garlic, and chopped parsley to the simmering liquid. Cook until oyster edges curl and seafood is perfectly tender, indicating optimal doneness.
- Final Refinement: Remove from heat, swirl in remaining butter to create a luxurious, glossy texture. Carefully ladle the maritime-inspired stew into warmed serving bowls, presenting a rich and comforting culinary experience.
Notes
- Master the Roux: Create a golden, smooth base by whisking flour into melted butter slowly, ensuring no lumps form and developing a rich, nutty flavor.
- Vegetable Precision: Dice onions and celery uniformly to ensure even cooking and perfect texture in the stew’s foundation.
- Simmer Gently: Maintain a low, steady heat to prevent milk from scorching and to allow flavors to meld seamlessly without curdling.
- Oyster Timing: Add oysters at the last moment to preserve their delicate texture, removing from heat the instant edges start to curl to avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 80mg