Puget Sound Oyster Bisque Recipes

SPINACH AND OYSTER BISQUE

Steps:

• Drain the oysters in a fine sieve set over a measuring cup, add enough water to the oyster liquor to measure 2 1/2 cups, and reserve the liquid. Discard any shell fragments from the oysters, rinse the oysters briefly, and chop them into 1/2-inch pieces. In a kettle cook the onion in the butter over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until it is pale golden, add the flour, and cook the roux, stirring, for 2 minutes. Whisk in the reserved oyster liquid and bring the mixture to a boil, whisking. Add the spinach, half the oysters, and the tarragon and simmer the mixture, stirring, for 2 minutes. In a blender purée the mixture in batches until it is smooth, transferring it as it is puréed to a bowl, and return it to the kettle. Add the cream and the remaining oysters and heat the bisque over moderate heat, stirring, until it is hot and the oysters are cooked, but do not let it boil. Stir in the zest, the sugar, the nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste and serve the bisque with the oyster crackers.

GRANDPA'S OYSTER STEW

Steps:

• Stir butter and garlic in stockpot over medium heat until butter begins to brown. Remove garlic and discard.
• Stir shallots into browned butter. Cook and stir until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Pour sherry over shallots in the stockpot and bring to a boil while scraping any browned bits off of the bottom of the pot. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Pour reserved oyster liquor, milk, and cream into the stockpot; bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in oysters; cook until oyster edges begin to ruffle, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in parsley; season with sea salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sweet paprika and oyster crackers.

CRAB AND OYSTER BISQUE

Steps:

• In 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Cook garlic and shallots in butter, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add clam juice and wine; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.
• Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, pepper and whipping cream. Cook until thoroughly heated, about 10 minutes. Stir in oysters and crabmeat; cook just until edges of oysters curl. Serve with oyster crackers; sprinkle with parsley.

OYSTER BISQUE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a heavy kettle. Add the celery and shallots.
• Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes over moderately low heat until vegetables are soft. Pour in the strained liquid, milk and cream.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer.
• (Do not boil.) Beat the egg yolks lightly in a small bowl.
• Whisk the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks; stir the milk-egg mixture into the kettle. Add the oysters, salt and pepper.
• Simmer, stirring, until bisque is lightly thickened, and the edges of the oyste rs have curled.
• Do not let the bisque come to a boil.
• Transfer to a heated soup tureen and sprinkle with the paprika.

PUGET SOUND OYSTER BISQUE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, whisk together flour, 1/4 cup water, salt, and Worcestershire. Add oysters and their liquid. Depending on the size of the oysters, you may want to cut them into bite-size pieces. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. The centers will be firm and the edge of oysters will curl a bit when cooked. Add half-and-half and margarine and heat to boiling. Let the bisque stand at least 15 minutes to blend flavors. Garnish with snipped parsley, if so desired.