Oysters Rockefeller

Oysters Rockefeller

Prep and Cooking time about 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

• 2 dozen oysters on the half shell, reserve the liquor and strain
• 1 large bunch of spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped I had frozen about 12-16 ounces briefly blanched spinach and used that for the recipe. Thaw and squeeze out most of the water before placing it in the pan.
• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1-2 T. Worcestershire sauce
• ( a pinch of Cajun/Creole seasoning optional )
• 1/4 tsp. Tabasco
• 1 tsp. anchovy paste ( or 2 fillets, chopped)
• 1 oz. Pernod, herbesaint or ouzo
• Parmesan cheese —recipe says top with a pinch, but I like a bit more parm
• rock salt

  Extra spinach blend freezes well for another time.

  A sturdy pan to bake the oysters in

  DIRECTIONS

• Wash the mud and sand off the outside of the oysters in the shell. Open them, holding them over the pan to catch their juice. Remove any sand and shell particles and set them aside. Wash the deeper shells and set aside. Wash, stem and chop coarsely the spinach leaves. Melt the stick of butter and cook the spinach and parsley until soft. Add bread crumbs, Worcestershire, Tabasco, and anchovy paste. Mix well and cook for 2 or 3 minutes until the elements are well blended. Add the Pernod. Place this mixture in a blender and cream it. I used a stick blender as I wanted some texture to the spinach blend. Mitchum suggest that many chefs prefer to mix with an egg beater to get the texture. Place rock salt in the bottom of a large tin pan. Place six large shells in the pan. Lay an oyster on each shell and place them under the broiler flame for a minute just long enough to make their edges curl. Remove from the broiler, and add a spoonful of oyster juice and a tablespoon of the spinach sauce over each oyster. Be sure to cover the oyster Sprinkle just a pinch of parmesan on top of each oyster and bake them in a preheated 400 degree oven for about five minutes or until thoroughly heated through. Remove from the oven and place under the broiler for a bit until the spinach is lightly browned.
• Serve piping hot. VERY HOT Serve with Champagne