NORWALK, CONN. – Customers may not find a pearl in every oyster they eat, but they will love to discover the fresh, local taste of Long Island Sound’s Blue Point Oysters. Sourced from family owned businesses that have been farming the Sound for generations, these oysters are sent directly from the docks in Norwalk to Stew Leonard’s stores on a daily basis.
The Blue Point Oyster was named for Blue Point, Long Island in New York. Blue Point Oysters are full and meaty, about the size of your palm, and feature a salty yet refreshing taste. They are only 9 calories each, plus they’re are low fat but high in zinc and protein. Stew Leonard’s has been working with local suppliers Westport Aquaculture and Norm Bloom & Son for years; both companies farm only sustainable oysters, meaning they constantly seed and reseed local beds.
“There’s no better way to beat the heat this summer than by slurping an oyster and enjoying a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc!” said Stew Leonard Jr., President & CEO of Stew Leonard’s. “There’s a myth that you can only eat oysters during months that have the letter ‘r’ in them, but Blue Point Oysters can be enjoyed at any time of year. My family especially loves them during the summertime – they’re great on the grill!”
Stew Leonard’s will sell more than 50,000 Blue Point Oysters every year, and customers have found a multitude of ways to enjoy them all year round, including raw on the half shell or the decadent Oyster Rockefeller.
Stew’s Top 5 Oyster FAQs:
1.How can I be sure that the oysters I purchase are safe to eat? Stew Leonard’s will not sell oysters from suppliers who harvest them from waters that may be unsafe. The waters of our suppliers’ oyster beds in Long Island Sound are sampled periodically to determine the water quality.
2.What should oysters look like when I purchase them? Oyster shells should have a healthy, gray color. Inside the shell, oysters are a creamy white, brownish gray and plump.
3.What do I do with the oysters until I begin cooking them? The best way to keep oysters fresh is to refrigerate them where they will be shelf stable for 5 days.
4.How do you open oysters? Place oyster flat side up on a hard surface. Anchor with a dish cloth or small towel. Place flathead screw driver in hinge part of oyster. With pressure, pry into oyster. As soon as the screwdriver penetrates, pry the two shells apart.
5.Which wines do you recommend to serve with oysters? Stew’s wine specialists recommend pairing oysters with French classics such as Fournier Sancerre, Malinge Sauvignon Blanc, Olivier Leflaive Chablis, and Houchart Povence Rose or even a Vinho Verde from Portugal.
Stew’s Favorite Summertime Oyster Recipe
Did you know that oysters can be cooked in their shells on your backyard grill? The heat from the grill steams the oysters and pops the shells open, while poaching the oyster inside. They make a great appetizer. So easy and so delicious!
Ingredients:
•Large fresh (live) oysters in the shell
•Melted butter
•Hot sauce
•Lemon wedge
Preparation:
Preheat grill. Scrub the oyster shells under cold running water with a brush. Place oysters (cup side on bottom) on hot grill about 4 inches from hot coals. Cover grill with lid, open any vents, and cook 6 to 8 minutes (depending on size) or until shells begin to open to indicate that they are done. Remove all oysters when the first one opens. Some shells will not be opened, so some prying will be necessary. Using a mitt or towel to protect your hand, remove the oysters from the grill, taking care not to spill their juices.
Pry the oysters the rest of the way open with an oyster knife, paring knife, or screwdriver. Sever the muscle that connects the shells, leaving the oyster on the half shell. Transfer onto a serving platter. Serve with melted butter, your favorite hot sauce, and lemon wedges. Enjoy!
About Stew Leonard's
Stew Leonard's, a family-owned and operated fresh food store founded in 1969, has four stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn. and Yonkers, N.Y. Stew's earned its nickname, the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores" because of its country-fair atmosphere, with costumed characters and animated entertainment throughout the store that keep children entertained while parents shop. Stew Leonard's legion of loyal shoppers is largely due to the stores' passionate approach to customer service: "Rule #1 — The Customer is Always Right"; Rule #2 – If the Customer is Ever Wrong, Re-Read Rule #1." This principle is so essential to the foundation of the company that it is etched in a three-ton granite rock at each store's entrance. The company's culture is built around an acronym for S.T.E.W.: Satisfy the customer; Teamwork gets it done; Excellence makes it better; WOW makes it fun. For more information, visit Stew Leonard's website at www.stewleonards.com.
Source: Stew Leonard's