November 30, 2022

Lady Oyster Chowder

By Virginia Shaffer

Feature Image by Derek Bissonnette

This recipe is from Virginia Shaffer, oyster industry advocate and storyteller behind theladyoyster.com.

Print Recipe

Makes

servings

Ingredients

1 russet potato chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
Salt
¼ cup butter
2 medium shallots peeled and diced
1 large celery stalk diced
2 garlic cloves chopped
4 cups lobster chicken, or seafood stock
½ cup corn kernels
1 bay leaf
Old Bay seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
2 dozen shucked oysters with their liquor
½ cup heavy cream
Chopped parsley
Crusty bread

Instructions

Place potatoes in a medium pan covered with cold, salted water. Place over medium-high heat. Cook until they are slightly soft. Drain.
Use a fork to mash 1/4 of the cooked potatoes.
Melt butter in the pan over medium heat. Add shallots and celery and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add stock, diced potatoes, corn, and bay leaf, with Old Bay seasoning and cracked pepper to taste. Simmer 10 minutes.
Stir in oysters with their liquor, cream, and mashed potatoes. Simmer 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley. Serve with crusty bread.

About the author

Virginia Shaffer

Virginia Shaffer has acquired recognition in the last four years for her contributions in promoting and sharing oyster stories through her blog, Lady Oyster. She is one of the top independent oyster bloggers in the world focused uniquely on oyster culture and community. Virginia is a Maryland Eastern Shore Native who grew up in, on, and around the water as a child. She pursued her academic career with a B.A. in International Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. and has lived overseas in Spain, Belgium, and Taiwan. Virginia is now based in Boston with her husband, Warwick, a New Zealand Native and the man behind the lens for Lady Oyster’s photography. Virginia showcases oyster professionals and farms, and shares oyster insights, raw bar experiences, and oyster tourism opportunities. She is an activist in the fight against climate change and serves as a Friend of the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition, a division of The Nature Conservancy.