Things We Love: Elsie's Oyster Stew Recipe & Uncle Dick's Bloody Mary

I love spending time with family during the holidays. This Thanksgiving, Greg and I look forward to traveling to Maryland to visit my family. We're looking forward to it so much, I want to share my grandmother's Oyster Stew recipe with you and my uncle's wonderful Bloody Mary!

My grandmother, Elsie, lives in Westminster and I've always loved going to her house. As a child, it seemed like it took forever to get to Grandma's house on the long drive from Florida. But Grandma was always waiting for us with open arms and some home-made delicious treats. She always let me lick the beater - even if it was a cherry pie filling that got all over my white jumper.

As I child, I didn't realize how hilarious my grandmother is. She is quite the family clown and especially loves to tell stories. Even though we've all heard the stories many, many times, I still love to hear them again. At 87 years young, she'll still climb up and hang from the tree branches with her grandchildren or strike a pose with a Rasta hat. (She claims she didn't know I put that hat on her head - not true!)

My Uncle Dick and Aunt Leigh host the big Thanksgiving meal and they surely know how to put on a gourmet feast for a crowd. The table is spread with all of the traditional favorites. Of course, my favorite part of the meal is when they serve the oysters! My Uncle Dick actually raises oysters in the Chesapeake Bay and lovingly tends to them all year long. We feel so blessed that he shares his bounty with us! Oysters on the half shell are served as appetizers with Uncle Dick's Famous Bloody Mary cocktails. I am a huge Bloody Mary fan, so I will share this fantastic family recipe with you.

Uncle Dick's Bloody Mary recipe

2 cups Clamato juice
1/2 cup vodka
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp hot sauce
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning

If you want a spicier drink, add more hot sauce or Old Bay Seasoning. (I do both.) Serve over ice.

Uncle Dick actually puts the oysters on the grill for a few minutes, which makes shucking easier. Grandma is in charge of making fried oysters - also a family tradition that I love. After the big meal, we all sit around digesting, watching football games, and catching up with the latest family news. I snapped this photo of my dad and grandma kicking back - she still has on her chef's coat from frying the oysters!

Uncle Dick always brings enough oysters to make Elsie's Oyster Stew recipe for breakfast the next morning. If you've never had it, you might think it sounds gross. (Greg won't even try it!) But if you like oysters, it is heavenly.

Elsie's Oyster Stew Recipe

Stick of butter
1/2 pint of shucked oysters
Milk, enough for everyone to have a bowl
Salt & pepper to taste
Old Bay Seasoning

Bring the milk, butter, and spices to just below boil. (Don't boil it or the milk will scald.) Take it off the heat and add oysters and juice. Let the stew sit for a few minutes until the oysters curl up on the edges.

I always look forward to spending time with my family, and especially my grandmother, as you can see from this photo taken this year.

Do you have fond memories of your grandparents? Tell us about them in the comments area below, or share some of your favorite family recipes!