Oyster Stew For One Or Two Recipes

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the celery and shallots until shallots are tender.
• Pour half-and-half into a large pot over medium-high heat. Mix in the butter, celery, and shallot mixture. Stir continuously. When the mixture is almost boiling, pour the oysters and their liquid into the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir continuously until the oysters curl at the ends. When the oysters curl the stew is finished cooking; turn off the heat and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bring water to boil in the bottom half of a double boiler.
• Lightly toast the two slices of bread.
• Remove the bread slices from the oven and spread with the butter/anchovy mixture.
• While the bread is toasting, bring water to a boil in the bottom of a double boiler.
• When the water is boiling, place the top of the double boiler on the bottom, making sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the top (begins to sound like gibberish).
• Add one tablespoon of butter, the oysters, the oyster liquor, the celery, Worcestershire sauce and sherry. Stir constantly and do not allow the stew to boil.
• As soon as the edges of the oysters start to curl, add the cream and stir.
• Place the buttered bread in the oven and toast till anchovy butter is melted and 'crostinis' start to brown.
• When stew is close to, but NOT boiling, remove from heat, remove and discard celery and season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Pour into two bowls.
• Divide the remaining tablespoon of butter between the two bowls and garnish with paprika.
• Serve with anchovy toasts.
• While you are dishing out the stew, have your guest open the champagne.