An Oyster Life (Blog)

Oyster casserole is a classic that’s graced southern tables for decades. This delicious variation from Southern Living uses Whitestone oysters in a creamy parmesan cheese sauce, dressed with breadcrumbs. It’s perfect for the holidays, a potluck or as a way to feed the family something a little different during the week. Ingredients 5 tablespoons salted butter, divide 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/4 cup chopped celery 2 scallions, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 25-30 Whitestone Oysters, drained well 4 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups) 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 cup...

We’re proud to announce we’ve partnered with local craftsmen Brent Stubblefield of  Join or Die Knives to bring you a new custom oyster shucker. These handmade knives are available exclusively on our webstore, and are made in Richmond, VA.  The knives feature a black walnut with an orange poly inlay handle. They’re made from AEB-L stainless steel and undergo Join or Die’s custom high toughness heat treat process. Designed with shucking Chesapeake oysters in mind, these blades will work well for any region's oysters.  The best part: the knives come with a lifetime warranty from Join or Die Knives against broken...

It’s a commonly held belief that oysters should only be consumed in months that end in ‘r’. However, this old mnemonic is just that– old. Thanks to modern refrigeration, farming practices and food safety procedures, farmed oysters like ours are able to stay ‘in-season’ year round. The common breeding cycle for oysters means that they’re in breeding season during the summer months and should be left alone. However, our oysters are farm raised, which means our breeding cycle is different than a natural one. In reality, the quality of the water in which the oyster is grown and how the...

 Father’s Day is right around the corner, and we’ve got just what you need to make dad smile. Of course, delicious oysters shipped straight to dad’s door are a no-brainer, but our new summer 2020 tees and handmade oyster knives from Join or Die are a perfect addition. Check out some gift ideas below. Whitestone Gift Card It’s perfect for the dad that has it all. Let pop pick his own gift or decide when he gets his next shipment of fresh, delicious oysters. Join or Die Oyster Knife Custom oyster shucker made exclusively for WhiteStone by Virginia's Join or...

The oyster shooter is a legend of its own. The versatile treat can be served as a fun appetizer, a chilling and energizing refreshment, a nightcap or as part of a larger seafood spread. How and when you choose to slurp is up to you, but this delicious recipe will ensure you get a perfect shooter every time.   Ingredients: 1 raw WhiteStone Oyster 1 teaspoon cocktail sauce (commercial or homemade cocktail sauce) 1 tablespoon vodka   Preparation: Gather the ingredients. Assemble your ingredients. How many oysters you need will depend on how many shooters you plan to make. Just note that you'll need...

Delicious, warm, cheesy baked oysters- simple is best. Pair this delicious recipe with some wine and a backyard fire on a cool spring evening for best results. Ingredients: Fresh oysters – Select 12-14 average-sized oysters or 16-20 small oysters. You can also use our jarred selects. Cream cheese  Shredded white cheddar  Crumbled bacon  Chopped spinach  Garlic  Crushed red pepper  Parmesan cheese   Steps: How to Shuck Oysters: Place one oyster in a folded dish towel. Look for the natural hinge in the small end of the oyster. Insert the tip of an oyster shucking knife into the hinge and firmly dig and twist. Once the...

We’ve had a busy month! We’re happy to announce that we’ve introduced several new products, including smoked trout caviar, handmade oyster shuckers from Join or Die Knives and several new tee shirt designs. You can see the whole collection on our store, and check out our new releases below. JARRED SELECTS Select freshly shucked oysters. Available in two sizes. Vacuum sealed to ensure freshness. Perfect for frying, po-boys or enjoying straight out of the jar. SMOKED TROUT CAVIAR Delicious cold-smoked trout caviar, made from fresh trout roe that has been seasoned with sea salt and lightly smoked with natural apple...

I got my oysters, now what?   Easy! Unpack the box, store sack in a cooler or pour oysters into a bowl for storing in the fridge. You can also check out our blog on serving raw oysters for more tips.   For the fridge: You want to be careful not to let your oysters dry out, which is why the damp towel is important. If you’re storing oysters on ice, make sure they don’t sit in freshwater. Stored properly, your oysters should keep for up to 10 days.    Spotting a dead oyster is simple. If the bivalves are...