Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped heart of celery
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 4 cups milk
  • 4 cups heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt to taste if desired
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 quarts shucked oysters with their natural liquor
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

Method

  • Heat butter in saucepan and add celery and onion.
  • Cook, stirring, without browning, about 5 minutes.
  • Add milk and cream and bring to the simmer.
  • Add Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce, paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Add oysters with their liquor and let simmer about three minutes or until oysters start to curl.
  • Do not overcook or oysters will toughen.
  • Serve in heated soup bowls with equal portions of parsley sprinkled on top.