MY EASY SMOKED OYSTER STEW W/BACON POTATOES & ONIONS

Steps:

• 1. Cut up unpeeled potatoes into bite-sized cubes and boil til tender in small saucepan. Once water starts to boil, will only take about 4 minutes. Check them with a knife for tenderness. *While potatoes are boiling, saute chopped onion in butter til tender. Drain saucepan of potato water keeping potatoes in there. Add half and half, milk, boullion, garlic powder, pepper, oysters and cooked onions with the butter. Heat over LOW heat til heated through. Stir gently occaisionally. *I just use a fork to lift and drain the oysters out of the can, and what's ever on them oil-wise, is fine. Just adds flavor anyways! If your stew is too oily on top, just skim off with a spoon, or don't worry about it! The crackers will absorb that! ;) Garnish each bowl heavily with cooked crumbled bacon. Serve with oyster crackers or saltines. Some like a little hot sauce served with on the side, too. *If using bacon that you have on hand that has been precooked, just wrap in papertowel and microwave about 10 seconds. (Thaw cooked bacon first if using it from your freezer and it's not already thawed.)
• 2. *Tip: I always cook an entire package/pound of bacon when I get it home, drain on papertowels, then wrap in clean papertowels and put into a freezer baggie for future use. You get the whole mess done in one shot, and then you can use however much you need at whatever time for anything from garnishes to BLT's! It's VERY handy!!!! :D To reheat: Just wrap in a sheet of papertowel and zap for about 8-10 seconds or til sizzling. Wah-lah!! :D