Soup
– Oyster Stew
Contributed by:
Allison Knight
(AllisonKnight.com)
Medieval Romance
The Story behind the recipe - My father planned to be an opera singer. In fact, Saturday afternoons meant listening to the broadcasts of the Metropolitan opera. Thanks to Dad I learned to love opera. He took my husband and I to see the opera Faust by Gounod. And one night, listening to the haunting music from the last scene of that opera I envisioned the black moment in my first medieval romance, Heartsong. Dad was not only a great baritone, but he could also cook. Every Saturday before Easter, when Lenten fasting was over, Dad made Oyster stew. It was the only time of the year we had this treat. Back then, you only ate oysters in a month with an 'r', and Easter always came in March or April. Years ago, oysters weren't farmed like they are today.
My Dad's Oyster Stew
Serves four to six, depending on the size of the servings.
What you'll need
- 1 pound raw oysters shucked
- 1 quart 2 percent or whole milk (Skimmed won't do)
- 3/4 cup butter (margarine won't work for this)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper (depending on taste)
- 2-3 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)
Steps in the process
- Heat milk and butter in a four quart pot on low heat until it reaches a simmer. (Do not boil)
- Add oysters one at a time checking each oyster for attached bits of shell.
- Continue on low heat until the edges of the oysters curl.
- Add salt and pepper and stir gently.
- Serve, topping each bowl with one half teaspoon of parsley or chives.
Blurb from HEARTSONG - Desperate and proud, Rhianna ap Brynn Ffrydd, a Welsh princess, is captured by a hated Englishman, Baron Garrett deShay, an agent of Edward I of England. Despite the passion he arouses in her, Rhianna must find a way to return home to her younger half sister, whom she’s raised since birth.
Garrett, emotionally scarred but intent on gaining the respect of his monarch by surrendering a member of Welsh aristocracy, fights an overwhelming attraction and the need to protect this woman, despite the charge of witch that hangs over her head. Can the two lovers conquer the cruelties awaiting them and their own natural animosity, to accept a forever kind of love?