On this week s Louisiana Eats , we join Chef John Besh in the Rouse s Culinary Innovation Center, located at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, for a lesson in cooking up some oyster stew. We also talk about John s book, Besh Big Easy, which focuses on traditional dishes that he believes are disappearing from Louisiana dinner tables. We ll also meet several talented chefs at the Blackpot Festival and Cookoff held annually in Lafayette. This gathering of south Louisiana musicians and cooks draws in more and more attendees each year with its come one, come all hospitality. And stir your appetite for roux, rice, and gumbo with author Stanley Dry. Whether it s cooking for home or feeding a crowd of thousands, we ve got a real taste of the state on this week s Louisiana Eats Leroy s Oyster StewServes 6From Besh Big Easy 1 leek, white part, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large tomato, chopped 2 green onions, chopped Go To Pan Sauce see below Pinch dried thyme 3 dozen oysters, shucked and liquor reserved for Pan Sauce Tabasco Squeeze of lemon juice Salt and pepper Cook the leeks and garlic in the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until softened, about three minutes. Add the tomatoes, green onions, oyster pan sauce and thyme, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer, add the oysters and cook just until they become firm and their edges begin to curl. Season with Tabasco, lemon juice, salt and pepper and stir to combine the flavors. Go To Oyster Pan SauceMakes about 3 cups The rich flavor of this stew comes from a simple oyster pan sauce. I make it by heating some olive oil in a skillet with a diced large onion, a minced fennel bulb, 4 minced garlic cloves, a heaping teaspoon each crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, and tarragon and 2 bay leaves. Once the vegetables have softened, I add 1 1 2 cups heavy cream, 1 1 2 cups dry vermouth and 3 cups oyster liquor or water. Increase the heat to high and reduce the sauce by half, about 15 minutes. Boo s Dirty Rice Jambalaya 2 lbs. Ground beef 1 lb. Hot smoked sausage 3 onions 5 stalks celery 1 bell pepper 2 Bay leaves 10 cloves garlic chopped Parsley Green onion tops Salt Cayenne Worcestershire sauce 5 to 6 cups of cooked white rice First you make a roux.Add onions.Add rest of veggies.Simmer for 1 2 hour.Brown ground meat and cut up sausage in oven or in skillet.Add ground meat and cut up hot smoked sausage.Add at least one package of beef broth or stock may need to add some water as it cooks .Simmer for one hour stirring often to avoid sticking.In another pot, mix well with white rice to desired “wetness.”