Oyster Rockefeller Soup

Harvesting oysters is a big business along the Gulf Coast. Eating them is a common aspect of living here as oysters are available year round, every day. The winter months are the best. Oysters seem to be a little sweeter in the cooler months. Remember the old saying, only eat oysters in the months containing an 'r'? Years ago, it rang true due to the lack of refrigeration or ice. Today, the saying should be oysters are better in the months containing an 'r'. That's because in the summer months (no 'r'), oysters are spawning, they are less flavorful and have a softer, watery texture.

Now, who ever came up with the idea to take the signature dish from Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans and make it into a soup, was a pretty clever chef. The earliest reference occurs in the early '80's. This is my recipe. Enjoy! 

Brennan's Oyster Rockefeller Soup
Oyster Rockefeller Soup
about 8 servings

2 pints shucked oysters with liqueur
1 cup melted butter
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped red onion
1 leek, chopped
3 garlic cloves, diced
8 oz fresh spinach leaves, washed, stemmed and coarsely chopped
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup Herbsaint or Pernod
salt, white pepper to taste
    Drain oysters reserving the liqueur.
    Set aside. In a stockpot, add the butter over medium heat and stir in the celery, onion, leek and garlic. Sauté until tender. Stir in the spinach. Add the flour and gently toss blending mixture together. Slowly add the chicken stock a little at a time and then the reserved oyster liqueur. Add the bay leaves and bring to a low simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
    Stir in the parsley, heavy cream, Herbsaint and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the oysters and cook until the edges begin to curl. Remove from heat and serve warm.

    Note: There are so many varying recipes but I think this one is pretty darn good. Add a cup of Parmesan cheese when adding the cream for a richer soup. You can also omit the butter and flour by adding the vegetables to the simmering stock but you will need to thicken the soup with about a half cup of cornstarch mixed with a half cup of liquid, like white wine.

    Comments

    1. Mmm....looks delicious, something different from what I ate before. We eat it with a lovely spicy sauce or make into oyster pancakes, very popular in Malaysia.

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    2. looks delicious!we've tried emerils oyster rockefeller with mixed results, we'll have to save this foe the next time we're down in florida!

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    3. Hi Drick....it is so rich and delicious. Can I have a bowl please ?:)) Fresh oysters are very expensive over here in Malaysia. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful oyster soup recipe :)

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    4. That looks delicious! Today is quite rainy here, so this soup looks to be very much in order!

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    5. I love oysters in any form and other than oyster stew never had them in a soup. This looks one luscious and is now printed out and in my "must try" list.

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    6. Hi Drick! I've never oysters in quite this presentation before, but I have to say it sounds like it would be delicious. Kinda like a jazzed up oyster stew?? Sounds like a definite keeper to me.

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    7. I would have never really considered oysters in a soup like this - great idea!

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    8. I love oysters so much. But we haven't been eating them by the burlap bag since we moved to Orlando. I asked the "premier" seafood market her for Apalach oysters and the girl had no idea what I was talking about. My dad use to make oyster stew all the time, and this soup has been on my to do list since I saw a version in a cookbook I was thumbing through. I love your version, looks perfect, have to try it.

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    9. We loved the Oysters Rockefeller in Antoine's and what a terrific idea to make a Oyster Rockefeller soup, so delicious! I will make this for my husband!

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    10. That looks delicious! Never had oysters! would love to try this one :)

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    11. Love variations on Oyster Soup - your's looks scrumptious. It is a tradition in my husband's family so must try yours.

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    12. A definite keeper here Drick! I love me some Oyster Rockefeller Soup.

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    13. Well, I've had oysters Rockefeller in NOLA but I have never heard of the soup version, what a cool thing. It really gets you thinking about what other dishes would work as a soup, doesn't it?

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