Oyster Stew Supreme

Ingredients

• 2 slices bacon, diced
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 3 tablespoons Wondra Flour
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 (8 ounce) bottle clam juice
• 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 16 ounces shucked oysters, with their liquor
• 3 dashes worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Sauté diced bacon in a non-stick soup pot over low heat until rendered.

2. 2

   Add butter and heat until melted.

3. 3

   Add onions, celery and garlic and continue to cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until translucent, taking care not to let them brown.

4. 4

   Add salt and pepper to taste, pinch of cayenne, thyme and Wondra or other fine white flour, whisking steadily to make a roux.

5. 5

   Cook, whisking steadily, for several minutes.

6. 6

   Slowly whisk in clam juice, whisking until smooth, then sherry, whisking until smooth.

7. 7

   Whisk in cream, whisking until smooth, then whisk in evaporated milk, whisking until smooth.

8. 8

   Raise heat slightly, stir while bringing just until it starts to boil, then lower heat and whisk until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

9. 9

   Stir in oysters with their liquor, several dashes of Worcestershire sauce and the chopped parsley.

10. 10

    Continue to heat, stirring occasionally, until oysters curl at the edges indicating they are heated through.