Not Ya Mama’s Oyster Dressing

Description

Thirty-five years ago, a group of friends went to a little Italian restaurant south of New Orleans. We all fell in love with their oyster dressing. We ate it so often the guys made a bet to see who could duplicate the recipe. After many tries, one of our friends figured it out and won the bet. During this time I was pregnant with my son and I craved oysters any way but raw. My husband made this for me at least twice a week (35-year-old son came into this world loving oysters). Last year I found the original restaurant recipe in a New Orleans cookbook; our friend hit the nail on the head. This is his version.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped, or more to taste
  • 1 ½ tablespoons dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste (Optional)
  • 1 quart fresh shucked oysters, drained and liquid reserved
  • 1 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×9-inch square baking dish.
  2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onions are translucent
  3. about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley
  4. oregano
  5. thyme
  6. salt
  7. black pepper
  8. and cayenne pepper until combined. Gently mix in oysters; cook
  9. stirring often
  10. until the edges of the oysters begin to curl
  11. about 8 minutes. Stir in bread crumbs and reserved oyster liquid until thoroughly combined. Spoon dressing into the prepared baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  12. Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown
  13. 15 to 20 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 6

Leave a Comment