Did you know that February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day? Why not join in on this celebration by trying a new soup recipe that includes oysters. Florida oysters are available year-round. Oyster harvest is mainly done in the cooler months in fall and winter. Right now is a perfect time to try Florida oysters!
The benefits of eating seafood are big! Fish and shellfish provide nutrients, proteins, vitamins, and omega-3s that are essential for healthy bodies and immune systems.
Try making the recipe below with your family!
Recipe to Try!
Oyster Stew
Ingredients:
1 pint shucked oysters in their liquor
½ stick unsalted butter
1 bunch green onions, white and light green parts only, chopped
3 cups whole milk
3 cups heavy cream
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Paprika for garnish
- Strain oysters from liquor; place oysters in a small bowl and refrigerate. Pour oyster liquor through a fine sieve lined with a paper towel into a separate small bowl; set aside.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add green onions cooking until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add milk, cream, and reserved oyster liquor. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then add oysters. Reduce heat to low and cook until edges of oysters begin to curl, about 1 minute.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of paprika.
Kids Can Cook, Too!
Inviting your kids into the kitchen teaches them valuable life skills. It makes kids more likely to try new foods! Here are some ways they can help prepare a delicious oyster stew.
- Bring your kids shopping with you. Read the recipe together and write out a list of ingredients you’ll need to purchase. Head to the store together, and let your child lead the way! Have them pick out and check ingredients off the list and assist at checkout. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even turn it into a budgeting lesson and have your child keep track of the total cost.
- Older children can wash and chop the green onions.
- With a little help, kids of any age would enjoy straining the oysters and oyster liquor.
- Measuring the butter, milk, and cream is a great opportunity to review fractions and other basic math skills with your children.
- With adult supervision, kids can sauté the green onions and stir the stew as it cooks.
- If your family enjoys the oyster stew, ask your children what ingredients they might like to add or change next time. Maybe they’d like to try another type of seafood or add in their favorite vegetable!
Food Safety Tips
- Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing food and after handling raw seafood.
- Separate cooked seafood from raw seafood and its juices to avoid cross contamination
- Refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours.
References
Recipe from Good Catch: Recipes and Stories Celebrating the Best of Florida’s Waters by Pam Brandon, Katie Farmand, and Heather McPherson https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813060156
https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/Seafood-Products/Oysters
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). “4 Steps to Food Safety.” FoodSafety.gov, 26 Jan. 2022, https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety
“Oysters and Vibriosis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 June 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/oysters-and-vibriosis.html
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