Oysters Rockefeller Recipe
Oysters Rockefeller is a classic baked oyster dish featuring a rich, flavorful topping made from a blend of spinach, herbs, butter, and Pernod, crowned with crunchy panko and Parmesan cheese. This elegant appetizer is perfect for special occasions and seafood lovers seeking a vibrant and savory bite.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 24 oysters 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Spinach Mixture
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup tightly packed fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped parsley, leaves and stems
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 2 Tbsp Pernod or other anise-flavored liqueur
Topping
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Oysters and Serving
- 1 lb coarse salt, for baking
- 24 fresh oysters, shucked, shells reserved
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Preheat and Prepare Spinach Mixture: Position a rack in the top third of the oven and preheat it to 450°F. Add garlic, spinach, green onions, parsley, lemon juice, softened butter, and Pernod to a food processor and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and well combined.
- Combine Topping Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil. Mix until evenly blended, creating a crumbly topping.
- Prepare Baking Sheet and Arrange Oysters: Spread the coarse salt evenly over a large baking sheet to a depth of about 1/2 inch. Arrange the shucked oysters in their half shells firmly on the bed of salt to keep them stable for baking.
- Top the Oysters: Spoon the prepared spinach mixture evenly over each oyster. Then sprinkle each oyster with the panko and Parmesan topping mixture, ensuring they are well covered.
- Bake the Oysters: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 8 minutes, or until the spinach mixture is bubbling and the panko topping is deeply golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the Oysters Rockefeller hot, accompanied by fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the oysters.
Notes
- Ensure oysters are well cleaned and fresh before preparing.
- The coarse salt bed helps stabilize oysters during baking and prevents tipping.
- Pernod brings a distinctive anise flavor; if unavailable, you can substitute with other anise-flavored liqueurs or omit for a milder taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and topping texture.
- Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the ideal hot and crunchy texture.
Keywords: Oysters Rockefeller, baked oysters, seafood appetizer, Pernod, spinach topping, crunchy panko, Parmesan, shellfish