A festive side dish that makes the most of pantry ingredients.
oysters
Padded Oysters
Padded oysters (also occasionally called “patted” oysters) get their name both from the method–coating the oysters in crumbs– and the practice of binding two oysters together in a single patty. It’s a bit of an old fashioned technique but you still see it on the menus of more homey seafood joints in the DelMarVa. A few churches in the Baltimore area still hold padded oyster fundraisers in the fall. The oysters sold at Sterling’s were most often padded unless you lucked out and got one giant oyster.
Zingy Macaroni Salad
A zippy version of the classic deli side.
Steak and Smoked Oyster Pie
Ingredients: 3/4 cup caramelized onions* 1 celery stalk, diced 2 carrots, diced 2 parsnips, diced 8 oz crimini mushrooms 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 2 tins (3.75 oz, each) smoked oysters, drained 2 1/2 lb stew meat superfine flour (like Wondra) 2 cups beef stock 1 sheet frozen puff […]
Oysters au Gratin
Ingredients: 4 pieces bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces 1/2 onion, small dice 1 lb “baby” spinach 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic 1/4 teaspoon celery seed hot sauce salt freshly ground black pepper 1 pint shucked oysters, drained 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs (I used cheese bread) 1/2 cup […]
Baltimore-style Fried Oyster Po’Boys
Ingredients: for the oysters: 2 pints oysters 1 1/3 cup self-rising cornmeal mix 2/3 cup flour 1/4 cup Old Bay (low sodium okay) canola oil for frying for the Old Bay remoulade: 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 tablespoons dill relish 1 teaspoon Old Bay 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard (powder) juice […]
Hangtown Fry-ttata
Ingredients: 1 pint shucked oysters, preferably “select” size 1 1/2 cup cornmeal 3 tablespoons flour 1/2 cup chopped scallions 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled 1/4 cup milk 10 eggs freshly ground black pepper olive oil Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Heat 1-inch canola oil in a heavy skillet. In […]
Broiled Oysters with Bacon and Leeks
Ingredients: 12 oysters (unshucked) 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 leeks, minced (white parts only!) 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup bread crumbs or matzo meal Directions: Saute the leeks and garlic in 1 1/2 tablespoons bacon grease until soft. Remove from heat. Add the bread crumbs and bacon […]
Leek and Mushroom “Scalloped” Oysters
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter 2 leeks, thinly sliced (white parts only!) 5 oz shiitake mushroom caps, sliced 1 pint oysters, drained and liquid reserved 1/3 cup half and half 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 sleeve saltines, crushed (about 1 cup) and toasted* […]
Oyster Wild Rice Casserole
Ingredients: 16 oz shucked oysters, drained, liquor reserved 2 slices cooked thick cut bacon, crumbed 1/4 cup butter 1 large shallot, minced 1 cubanelle pepper, diced 1 cayenne pepper, minced 2 tablespoons flour 12 oz evaporated milk 1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup […]