Oysters are best enjoyed on the half shell or grilled. Still, they also make a delectable appetizer or entree when accompanied by fresh lemon zest or creamy sauces. Whatever way they're enjoyed, oysters will surely satisfy any palate! At one point, it was commonplace to find oyster saloons across the US serving up inexpensive alcohol alongside mouthwatering oysters.
1. Buttermilk Oysters with Remoulade
When topped with tangy remoulade sauce, these crisp fried oysters make a tasty appetizer or meal-in-a-bowl dinner. It is straightforward to prepare, yet the results are impressive. Before beginning preparations, make sure that the oysters you use are clean by placing them in a bowl of cold water to run over them until all debris and dirt have been eliminated from their shells by periodically emptying excess water until all shells have become free of dirt or debris.
These grilled oysters are a delicious take on a classic New Orleans dish, featuring succulent seafood combined with zesty paprika and butter for an easy one-step dish that requires less shucking. You could even grill these delectable beauties without opening their shells!
Created at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans in 1899, this elegant oyster recipe offers an intelligent way to enjoy these seaweed delicacies. While initially, you will require a sharp knife for shucking the oysters, once you perfect this technique, baked oysters become effortless and delectable!
This easy recipe for baked oyster casserole is ideal for those who do not enjoy shucking their shellfish. Instead of the usual steamed oysters, this version uses panko breadcrumbs for an irresistibly crisp surface layer. For even more flavor and heartiness, build it into a po' boy sandwich instead - a fantastic way to serve this mouthwatering treat at brunch, lunch, or casual dinner parties alike!
2. Oysters Rockefeller
Oysters are an incredibly deceptively versatile food source. Try this quick four-ingredient oyster recipe topped with creamy remoulade as an appetizer to impress guests at any Mardi Gras celebration or gathering!
Oysters Rockefeller is an elegant yet straightforward dish to create, named for John D. Rockefeller due to its luxuriousness. The Oysters Rockefeller dish typically consists of oysters on the half shell topped with spinach puree, Pernod, or another anise-flavored liqueur, butter, parsley, and bread crumbs - although other restaurants claim they created this classic appetizer first! Although other establishments claim credit, Oysters Rockefeller was first invented at New Orleans' Antoine's restaurant, founded by Jules Alciatore's father in 1840 -
Oysters Rockefeller shares many ingredients with Oysters Casino, but the preparation and flavors differ drastically. When selecting fresh oysters for Oysters Rockefeller preparation, look for ones displayed on ice, tightly closed and heavy for their size, with harvest tags indicating when they were harvested.
After shucking the oysters, please place them in a baking dish atop a bed of rock salt to ensure even baking while you make the sauce. Top the oysters with spinach mixture with bread crumbs before placing the dish into an already preheated oven for baking - sure to impress guests at any dinner party or holiday event! This delicious treat takes only minutes to create!
3. Parmesan Oysters
Baking to broiling and steaming to raw on the half shell are just a few ways of enjoying these shellfish. Try Tyler Florence's cucumber mignonette sauce, Sunny Anderson's po' boy sandwiches, or Guy Fieri's oysters Rockefeller for a delectable appetizer, or make this dish your main course by trying this creamy oyster recipe!
This recipe is easy enough for amateur and seasoned chefs alike to master; all you need are some freshly shucked oysters (a fishmonger should be able to assist here), some ingredients, and time.
These oysters are covered in a delicious creamy mixture of Parmesan, mozzarella, and garlic cheeses that melt in the oven before finishing the dish with some crispy breadcrumbs and paprika for extra spice! Perfect as either an appetizer or light main course for any seafood feast.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before beginning this dish. Shuck oysters following this full shucking tutorial, placing their shells on a rimmed baking sheet or pan. Next, combine melted butter with breadcrumbs and chopped spinach; spread a generous tablespoonful over each shell and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese before baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese has melted and breadcrumbs have turned golden-brown - then serve immediately!
4. Baked Oysters
Baked oysters make an easy seafood appetizer or main course that will please guests at any event or party, whether served alongside classic baked potatoes and crisp salad for dinner or as the star attraction at summertime barbecues or New Year's bashes. For optimal presentation, nestle each shellfish in rock salt or uncooked rice before baking to avoid its juices spilling during the baking process. To add another dimension of flavor, try swapping out parsley for something like thyme or basil in the buttery herb crumb topping, or swap out your favorite seafood combination such as shrimp/scall/cod/c/cc for this recipe as an easy and versatile recipe option!
Drago's Restaurant inspired this dish in New Orleans and features oysters topped with wilted baby spinach, crumbled bacon, Pecorino Romano cheese, and garlic-roasted panko breadcrumbs - a simple but delicious appetizer that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and can serve both casually at home or as the centerpiece of special celebrations.
