Frederic Melton
Oysters Rockefeller is a decadent and dressed-up dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. The classic appetizer features oysters topped with a rich, creamy blend of spinach and cheese, then roasted to perfection. While the original recipe used pureed greens like watercress, modern recipes often substitute spinach to achieve the iconic green colour. Various types of cheese can be used, including Romano, Parmesan, Gruyère, cream cheese, and Pecorino. The dish is typically garnished with lemon zest, breadcrumbs, and crispy bacon, then served with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer |
| Main Ingredient | Oysters |
| Other Ingredients | Spinach, Shallots, Butter, Lemon, Breadcrumbs, Cheese |
| Cheese Varieties | Romano, Parmesan, Gruyère, Asiago, Cream Cheese, Pecorino |
| Additional Ingredients | Bacon, Garlic, Vermouth, White Wine, Pernod |
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What You'll Learn
Romano, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack are popular cheeses
Oysters Rockefeller is a decadent and dressed-up dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. It was created at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans in the late 1890s and has been a popular appetizer ever since. The original dish consisted of pureed greens like watercress, aromatics, and butter. Over time, the recipe has evolved, and today, many variations exist.
When it comes to cheese, Romano, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack are popular choices for Oysters Rockefeller. These cheeses add a rich and creamy dimension to the dish. Romano cheese, for example, is often used in restaurant-style Oysters Rockefeller, adding a sharp and salty flavour to the spinach filling. Parmesan, with its nutty and savoury notes, is another classic option that blends seamlessly with the other ingredients. Gruyère, known for its smooth and slightly sweet flavour, can be blended with Parmesan to create a decadent cheese base. Lastly, Monterey Jack, a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavour, is a versatile choice that can be easily substituted for other cheeses like fontina or mozzarella.
The process of preparing Oysters Rockefeller typically involves shucking the oysters, creating a creamy spinach filling, and then baking or broiling the oysters to achieve a golden brown finish. The cheese plays a crucial role in this process, contributing to the dish's signature richness and depth of flavour.
While the aforementioned cheeses are commonly used, some recipes offer flexibility in substitutions. For instance, Asiago can be used in place of Romano, and fontina or mozzarella can substitute Monterey Jack, allowing chefs to customise the dish to their taste preferences.
In conclusion, Oysters Rockefeller is a classic appetizer that has delighted diners for over a century. The use of cheeses like Romano, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack enhances the dish's creamy texture and savoury flavour profile. With its combination of briny oysters, rich toppings, and crispy breadcrumbs, Oysters Rockefeller remains a beloved and indulgent culinary creation.
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Cream cheese is used in some recipes
Oysters Rockefeller is a decadent and dressed-up dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. It is a classic appetizer that is rich and creamy. The original oysters Rockefeller sauce was green in colour, and most recipes use spinach to achieve this. The spinach is cooked with aromatics such as shallots, garlic, and onion, and often includes bacon.
Some recipes for Oysters Rockefeller include cream cheese. In these recipes, the cream cheese is added to the cooked spinach and aromatics, along with cream or half and half, and another cheese such as Pecorino, Gruyère, or Parmesan. This mixture is then refrigerated until cool, and a spoonful is placed on each oyster.
The oysters are then topped with breadcrumbs and broiled until browned. This creates a rich and crunchy finish to the dish.
While cream cheese is used in some recipes, other variations of the dish exist. For example, some recipes include Romano cheese, while others use pimiento cheese melted into collard greens and aromatics, topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs.
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Pimiento cheese is used in a Southern variation
Oysters Rockefeller is a decadent dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. The original recipe includes oysters topped with a rich, creamy blend of spinach and cheese, then roasted to perfection. The dish was created at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans in the late 1890s and has been a popular appetizer ever since.
While the classic recipe calls for a variety of cheeses such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or Asiago, a Southern variation of Oysters Rockefeller uses pimiento cheese. Pimiento cheese is a staple dip in Southern cuisine, known for its creamy and subtly spicy flavour. It is made with pimento peppers, mayonnaise, and of course, cheese.
To make Oysters Rockefeller with pimiento cheese, you can follow a similar process to the classic recipe. First, shuck the oysters and place them on a bed of salt to keep them level. For the filling, cook bacon, onion, bell pepper, and celery in a large skillet until the vegetables are softened. Add collard greens and pimiento cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste and let it cool to room temperature.
Once the filling is ready, spoon a generous amount on top of each oyster and sprinkle with toasted cracker crumbs or breadcrumbs. Bake the oysters until the cheese is melted and the topping is golden brown. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
This Southern variation of Oysters Rockefeller adds a unique twist to the classic dish, combining the creamy and spicy flavours of pimiento cheese with the briny oysters. It is a perfect appetizer for a cocktail party or any special occasion.
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Lemon juice is added to prevent the dish from being too rich
Oysters Rockefeller is a decadent and dressed-up dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. The original dish consisted of pureed greens like watercress, aromatics, and a generous amount of butter. The dish was considered so rich that it was named after the wealthiest person in the United States at the time, John D. Rockefeller.
Over time, the dish has evolved and there are now many variations of the recipe. Most recipes use spinach to attain the green colour of the original oysters Rockefeller sauce. Some recipes also include other ingredients such as garlic, shallots, cream cheese, and various types of cheese. Common cheese options include Romano, Parmesan, Gruyère, Asiago, and Monterey Jack.
To make the dish, the oysters are typically topped with a rich, creamy blend of spinach and cheese, and then baked. Some recipes also include a crunchy cap of breadcrumbs on top. The addition of lemon juice to the recipe is important as it helps to brighten and balance the rich flavours. Seafood dishes often benefit from a squeeze of lemon, and oysters Rockefeller is no exception.
Lemon juice is added to the spinach and cheese mixture before it is placed on top of the oysters and baked. The lemon juice adds a bright, acidic note that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. It is important to use fresh lemon juice for optimal flavour. Additional lemon wedges can be served on the side, providing a garnish and allowing diners to add more lemon flavour to their dish if desired.
The use of lemon juice in oysters Rockefeller is a perfect example of how a simple ingredient can transform a dish. By adding a touch of acidity, the lemon juice prevents the dish from becoming overly rich and heavy. This helps to create a well-balanced and impressive dish that is perfect for special occasions or for impressing dinner guests.
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The dish can be assembled without an oyster shell
Oysters Rockefeller is a classic, decadent, and impressive dish that can be assembled and served without oyster shells. This recipe uses a blend of cheeses, spinach, and creamy sauces to create a rich and indulgent flavour profile.
To make Oysters Rockefeller without oyster shells, start by gathering your ingredients. You will need oysters, butter, shallots, garlic, spinach, cream, cheese, lemon juice, and pepper. For the cheese, you can use a blend of Gruyère and Parmesan, or substitute with fontina, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese. Having a combination of cheeses will add depth to the dish.
Next, prepare the oysters by shucking them and releasing them from their shells. Rinse and clean the oysters, then place them on a sheet pan and refrigerate until needed. If you want to skip the shucking process, you can purchase oysters that have already been shucked. Alternatively, you can use fresh oysters and place them directly in a shallow dish, as mentioned later in the recipe.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the shallots. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender, then add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Add the spinach to the pan and cook until wilted. You can also add Pernod or white wine at this stage for a unique flavour.
In a separate bowl, mix together the cream, lemon juice, and pepper. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow it to cook down by half. This will create a thick and creamy sauce. Once cooled, stir in the cheese until well combined.
Now, you can assemble the dish. If you have shucked oysters, place them in their half-shell on a sheet pan or baking dish. Top each oyster with a generous amount of the spinach and cheese mixture. If you are using fresh oysters without shells, place them in a shallow dish and cover them with the mixture.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the oysters, which will add a crunchy texture to the dish. Bake the oysters in the oven at 375-450 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-12 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the filling is hot.
Finally, garnish the oysters with lemon zest and crispy bacon pieces, if desired. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy your shell-less Oysters Rockefeller!
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Frequently asked questions
Romano, Gruyère, Parmesan, Asiago, cream cheese, and Pecorino are all cheeses used in various recipes for Oysters Rockefeller.
Romano cheese is used in the original recipe, but Parmesan is also a traditional alternative.
Yes, you can use any cheese you like, such as Gruyère, shredded Parmesan, fontina, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even pimiento cheese.
Oysters Rockefeller is made with spinach, butter, shallots, garlic, breadcrumbs, lemon, and bacon.
