Oysters Rockefeller

February 12, 2017 by Caroline's Cooking

Oysters Rockefeller are a classic New Orleans appetizer with a tasty topping baked over oysters in their shell. Here they're lightened up but packed with flavor.

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close up of oysters Rockefeller with lemon slice behind

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The last couple of years, Mardi Gras/Carnival has crept up on me and before I know it, it's been and gone. Then I realize I haven't managed to look into any typical festive dishes. Again. This year, however, I decided to change that, hence me making crawfish etouffee not too long ago.

I also came across these oysters Rockefeller which as soon as I saw them, I had to try. And as I expected, they were delicious.

Oysters Rockefeller in dish from overhead with slice of lemon in middle

Sadly my husband seems to have developed an allergy to oysters over the last few years. It's obviously not a big challenge, as they're not something you have every day, but it was something we would get now and then when out.

It feels a little weird ordering myself (though I sometimes do, like when I first had oysters Kilpatrick). Although to be honest, since we usually go places that work for the kids, they haven't tended to be a typical option on the menu.

Our local fish shop sells them and I sometimes think I should get them to have at home as a treat as part of lunch. Coming across this way of preparing them was the perfect excuse. I had to try them so I could share the recipe, of course.

holding an oyster in hand above dish with rest

What are Oysters Rockefeller?

Oysters Rockefeller are the creation of a New Orleans restaurant and the original recipe is a secret to this day. The topping on the oysters was considered so rich, the dish was named after the richest person of the day, John D Rockefeller.

Although there are variations, the topping generally includes a mix of greens including spinach, pernod, and is topped with cheese and/or breadcrumbs.

resting oysters in foil then making greens topping

Steps to make these tasty oysters

Despite the aura surrounding them, these are actually pretty easy to make, well at least in this version. I've made them a little less rich (and so healthier) than some versions but still full of flavor.

You simply:

Chop the greens and open the oysters so they sit in the larger half of the shell.
Soften the garlic in a little butter then add the greens.
Season the mixture with the pernod, lemon and hot sauce and cook a minute or two to cook off the liquid.
Spoon this on top of the oysters in their half shell.
Top with a little parmesan and bake.

Typically you sit them in a bed of rock salt to keep them level, but rather than waste a lot of salt, you can also scrunch up some foil and put this in your baking dish and it works in the same way.

See the video to walk you through it, including shucking an oyster!

Oysters Rockefeller have so much flavor and are a wonderfully indulgent little bite. I can see why they are often served as part of Mardi Gras celebrations, but they would fit in at any party when you want to impress your guests with a little something special.

Or if you're like me and you only get to enjoy oysters occasionally on your own, that works too. Take any excuse to give these a try.

oysters Rockefeller on foil in baking dish with parsley and lemon garnishes

Try these other tasty seafood appetizers:

New England style stuffed clams
Scallops with cranberry bacon jam
Salmon gravlax
Baked mussels
Plus I can't wait to try Garlic and Zest's Mardi Gras grilled oysters.
Plus get more ideas in the appetizer recipes archives.

Oysters Rockefeller with lemon slice behind

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5 from 5 votes