You Can Make Oysters Rockefeller at Home
Ever have a recipe that’s been on your “try” list… absolutely forever? I hate to admit it, but waaaay back in 2011 (when interviewed for winning a recipe contest), I pledged to master Oysters Rockefeller.
Ahem. Fast forward four years.
If you have never had the pleasure, Oysters Rockefeller (per Wikipedia) are “oysters on the half-shell that have been topped with various other ingredients… and are then baked or broiled.” Originally topped with a mixture containing herbs like parsley or chervil, today you are likely to find a topping based on spinach. Doesn’t that make this almost a health food?
The name Oysters Rockefeller comes from John D Rockefeller whose wealth, it was said, rivaled the richness of the sauce. If these were invented today, I suppose they’d be called Oysters Gates…
Of course slipping a “slimy mollusk” into your mouth might seem intimidating. But don’t let that dissuade you. Because they are cooked and covered with a rich topping, Oysters Rockefeller are far less daunting than (raw) oysters on the half shell or even (cooked) Mussels Meuniere. My husband and daughter won’t touch a mussel but Oysters Rockefeller get gobbled down.
My husband and I tried making this for the first time a couple months ago. I cooked while he took on the challenge of opening the oysters. He brought out his toughest work gloves for protection, located a small, stiff knife (we have recently ordered an oyster knife which is a definite improvement) and followed shucking instructions on the internet. I started with a recipe from Tyler Florence, and made a few modifications over time, most significantly more spinach. Never miss a chance to slip in a serving of vegetables.
Sometimes this is served with a sauce-usually mignonette (traditional, but didn’t seem to add enough to be worth the effort) or hollandaise (which seemed to overpower the other flavors), but we decided we like them best without. If you like these with a sauce, I’d love to hear…
As I did research for this post, I learned that oysters contain a fair amount of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Spinach, of course, is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. So, in the end, this appetizer does practically counts as a health food!
Not that I need any more excuses!
Oysters Rockefeller
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 2 shallots chopped
- 3 cups chopped fresh spinach 6 oz
- 1/4 cup Pernod sherry or white wine
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dash red pepper sauce
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 dozen oysters on the half shell (see note)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet. Saute the garlic for 2 minutes to infuse the butter. Place the bread crumbs in a mixing bowl and add half the garlic butter, set aside.
- To the remaining garlic butter in the skillet, add shallots and spinach, cook for 3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Add the Pernod or sherry. Season with salt and pepper, add a dash of red pepper sauce. Allow the mixture to cook down for a few minutes to reduce the liquid.
- Finish off the bread crumbs by mixing in olive oil, Parmesan and parsley, season with salt and pepper. Spoon 1 rounded teaspoon of the spinach mixture on each oyster followed by a spoonful of the bread crumb mixture.
- Sprinkle a baking pan. Bake in a preheated 450 degree F oven for 10 to 15 minutes until golden. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
Many recipes call for baking these on salt so they sit nicely in the pan. I used split peas the first time and but going without seems to work fine for me too.
Nutrition
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I am a little worried about shutting the oysters can you buy them fresh on the half shell and then use this recipe?
Yes, you can buy them on the half shell for this Tori. Just make sure they are fresh! After all the work it was to shuck them, I even considered saving some shells and buying bulk oysters 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!
Thank Inger, love the post, looks very delicious.
We did enjoy them! Thanks!
Great recipe Inger. I’m from Australia and hadn’t heard of Oysters Rockefeller. After seeing your recipe I made some for lunch today and they’re beautiful.
Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed them Paul. Thanks for stopping by!
I always thought of Oysters Rockefeller as being a complicated dish…you make it look quite doable! Very nice post!!
Not a problem at all, Kathy–once you get those oysters open! One of these days I may even try this with bulk oysters. It’s considered a bit fringe but would be easier. We scrubbed up a few shells and ran them through the dishwasher just in case we decide to try that.
Yum! These oyster look so good…thanks for the recipe…one of this day I will have to try it!
Enjoy the rest of your week Inger 🙂
I wish I’d tried making these years ago Juliana. Hope you get a chance to try them!
This recipe looks really good and easy to do. I will have to try it over this weekend. Thanks!
The only thing that is a challenge is shucking the oysters–good luck. I’d love to hear how it goes if you get the chance.
Oh that didn’t sound right–opening the oysters isn’t as bad as all that! I meant I hope you get the chance to enjoy these!
I love that you set your mind to try something totally new and you did it, looks like they came out great!
Thanks. I really was happy they worked out–and that my husband was so open minded about shucking the oysters!
I love them. Love them. Love them.
Aren’t they awesome Tammy!