Oyster Soup

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2004

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Shell Game

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (18)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(18)

Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 15 min
Total:: 35 min

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Ingredients

4 cups heavy cream
1 pint oysters and liquor, separated
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 1/2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves, chervil, or chives
Salt and pepper

Directions

In a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream and oyster liquor from the oysters to a simmer. Remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, in a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the celery and a pinch of the salt and sweat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and continue cooking until translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add celery seed, hot pepper sauce, and oysters and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the edges of the oysters start to curl.

Transfer the oysters to the carafe of a blender and add enough of the cream just to cover.*

Puree until the mixture is smooth. Return the remaining cream to medium heat, add the pureed mixture, and cook until heated through.

Just before serving, add the lemon juice, chopped herbs, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

*When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Oyster Soup
lynn atlanta, GA 11-22-2009
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better than mother's
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We always had oyster stew for breakfast on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mom could fix it in one pot and fast. Mom's stew was... milk, butter, oysters, crackers and hot sauce. Pot on the table, stay out of the kitchen. Mom isn't with us anymore but I wouldn't start the day without my oyster stew. Now that I had a new family I had to sell the idle of oyster stew for breakfast. Thanks to this recipe it was an easy sell. This soup fills you up but still hungry in the next few hours ready for the big meal coming. I use whole milk in replace of the heavy cream. Read more
recipe Oyster Soup
null null, null 05-30-2009
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For us who have probs with lactose
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I took the basic same receipe and substituted a 32oz can of crushed tomatos. Cooked it essentially the same way only I let... it reduce more to help break down the tomato a bit more. Added a bit of fresh gound black pepper to zest it up somewhat and we came out with a very tasty variation. Have not tried adding artichoke to it, but have used a small amount of balsamic vinegar with good results. One other variation was to turn it into more of a stew more out of being too lazy to go to the grocery store and used homony which when blended added a very nice texture as well as a rich flavor. I also found a really tasty goat milk gouda that I grate over the top then pop under the broiler for a few moments to brown a bit. Combined with my home made gluten free bread this makes a yummy treat on cold nights... That's the fun of a good basic soup receipe, if you have special diet considerations, it's very easy to make simply substitutions. I do really miss good old cream chowder seafood type soups. Hard to find non-bovine cream out there though. Heck I would settle for buffalo if I could find it! ;)Read more
recipe Oyster Soup
James Vestavia Hills, AL 07-17-2008
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Easy open oysters
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

This is to let people know that if you soak your oysters (in their shells) in carbonated water for 15 minutes, it gets them... "drunk" and they get giddy and their shells loosen up and are very easy to open. An old Cajun trick.Read more
recipe Oyster Soup
Belinda Cumming, GA 01-22-2008
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WONDERFUL!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We seen this recipe on the show,and my husband just had to have it made,and he LOVED it.Simply wonderful,and very easy to... make.Came in handy on the cold night we had here.Thanks Alton for sharing.Read more
recipe Oyster Soup
Scott anywhere, FL 01-18-2008
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Oyster soup
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Superb. The artichoke heart recommendation really smoothed things out. I also topped it with a little fresh grated parmesan... cheese. WOW!Read more
recipe Oyster Soup
Larry Vancouver, WA 04-12-2007
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Wife loves this
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made this as a starter for entertaining and as a week night main course. I get great compliments and works with many... different main courses. It super fast and easy, but your guests won't know that. And my wife loves it!Read more