The Secret to Thanksgiving Dinner: The Oysters!
Yeah, ladies! Oysters are the key to a true feast – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and January Fun-feast meal! The pre-requisite feasting delight is not the must-have turkey and my especially yum dressing or whatever feasty dessert conjured up.I refuse to be shewish and withold the key to Feasting Success from you – though my grandmother would be so tempted to do so!
You know how your children bubble excitement to share a turtle, or slimy worm, or somthing unrecognizable which you truly wish to never see again. Well, right now, I am so excited – just like my boys are when they present me with what they think are great gifts. So, even if you feel repugnance, just turn on that Mom-Mode smile and encourage me in my Joy of Feasting Moment.
I have been waiting months to share this with you – and did not want to wait until it came out of the oven on Thanksgiving Day!)
Christmas Oysters (Scalloped Oysters)
From the Cabbage Patch Cookbook (sadly out of print)
3 pts oysters (2 large fresh containers)
Cracker crumbs (hand crushed) (Zesta Crackers)
2 eggs
1-1/2 Cup half and half
½ Cup oyster liquor
Salt and pepper to taste
½ lb. Butter or margarine
Cover bottom of baking dish with cracker crumbs. Put in layers of oysters. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bits of butter. Repeat until dish is almost full. Sprinkle cracker crumbs, salt and pepper on top and dot with remaining butter. Beat eggs with half and half and oyster liquor. Pour over oysters. (Aunt Joyce and I pour extra half-and-half until you see it just below surface) Bake in moderate oven about 30-45 min.(more like 1 hour) until custard is set and top golden brown(it will soufflé up while in oven and settle down when taken out)
This great Holiday-Feast-Must-Have comes out of the over a lovely looking souffle! Can it get better than this? I do not think so!
ug i very much dislike the oyster casserole — but my dad sure does love them — i think he would agree they are a must.
This would be a good litmus test (A test that uses a single indicator to prompt a decision) for your boyfriend – proof that opposites attract – my lovely DIL doesn’t like them either, but your cousin does!
Can I trade my oysters for lobster? LOL
I am not a seafood fan at all…but if I was, I’m sure this would be delicious. *lol*
I’ve never seen an oyster casserole like this! I think I would like this – I’m not a big fan of them on the shell raw, but cooked I might be able to handle. Can’t wait to see your pictures. Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
P.S. I’ve never heard of oyster liquor! How strange!
This is from a 1952 recipe book. It has been on our holiday tables since before I was born. Oyster “Liquor” is the term for the oyster juice left in the container. I researched the word that kept escaping me when I described the taste and came up with “smokey” – not sweet, not fishy – smokey. Being the Culinary Queen of Classy Yum, you might like this link: http://www.wordnik.com/lists/words-to-describe-the-taste-of-food.
Have a blessed, laughter-filled Thanksgiving!
have only seen oysters in stuffing before. not really a tradition around here, but I’m sure it’s good.
I’m not a huge oyster fan, but this sounds like a lovely tradition.
i love absolutely love oysters. thanks for sharing your recipe.
stopping by from SITS.
Samantha
http://sphanphotography.blogspot.com/
Great blog and recipe. Love oysters!
Mary
I LOVE oysters and like them in my stuffing, so I am thinking I would love this. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
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I am 61….we ALWAYS had Scalloped Oysters for Thanksgiving and Christmas….same recipe, but we might add a little bit more liquid…to make it really puff…..I, as a kid, only liked the breading but not the oysters, now I love it all, and my sons are grown and love it. My older sister said my Great Grandmother would recieve Barrels of Oysters to make this recipe…..I have hunted and hunted for the history of this recipe, but no luck…someday I will find it…if anyone ever finds it, let me know…..I would love to add it to my genealogy.
Tawna
tawna.brown@sbcglobal.net
I have never made Scalloped Oysters, however, I always make a variation of ‘Rockefeller’, on Christmas Eve. I can’t wait to try this!!
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