Southern Oyster Casserole

Southern Oyster Casserole
Southern Oyster Casserole
This dish is a holiday staple in Southern coastal cities. It can be served with the rest of the meal on the holiday buffet table, but my friend Marion likes to have it ready to go in the oven in case the meal is delayed and tempers get short. It soothes and warms enough to keep the hungry waiting. I'd set out little bread-and-butter plates and forks and put the casserole in the living room. Not all inland eaters have acquired a taste for oysters; they are especially delicious during winter holidays as either a traditional delicacy or exotic fare.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 10 to 20 servings as a starter
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  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • salt
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • freshly grated nutmeg
  • Carbohydrate 11 g(4%)
  • Cholesterol 105 mg(35%)
  • Fat 15 g(23%)
  • Fiber 1 g(3%)
  • Protein 11 g(22%)
  • Saturated Fat 8 g(41%)
  • Sodium 414 mg(17%)
  • Calories 222

Preparation Preheat the broiler. Grease a 9x13-inch ovenproof serving dish or spray it with nonstick spray. Drain the oysters and set aside. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy casserole. Add the scallions and pepper and sauté until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and oysters and sauté for 5 minutes. In a separate pan, melt 2 tablespoons of the remaining butter. Stir in the flour. When smooth, add the cream, and stir until boiling and thick. Add the cheese. Stir this cheese sauce into the oyster mixture and season with nutmeg, paprika, salt, and pepper. The casserole may be made ahead to this point and refrigerated overnight. Return it to the simmer on top of the stove before proceeding. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and top with the bread crumbs and dot with the remaining butter. Place under the broiler until browned and bubbling—about 10 minutes, depending on the depth of the casserole. Reprinted with permission from Nathalie Dupree's Comfortable Entertaining by Nathalie Dupree. © 1998 Viking

Preparation Preheat the broiler. Grease a 9x13-inch ovenproof serving dish or spray it with nonstick spray. Drain the oysters and set aside. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy casserole. Add the scallions and pepper and sauté until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and oysters and sauté for 5 minutes. In a separate pan, melt 2 tablespoons of the remaining butter. Stir in the flour. When smooth, add the cream, and stir until boiling and thick. Add the cheese. Stir this cheese sauce into the oyster mixture and season with nutmeg, paprika, salt, and pepper. The casserole may be made ahead to this point and refrigerated overnight. Return it to the simmer on top of the stove before proceeding. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and top with the bread crumbs and dot with the remaining butter. Place under the broiler until browned and bubbling—about 10 minutes, depending on the depth of the casserole. Reprinted with permission from Nathalie Dupree's Comfortable Entertaining by Nathalie Dupree. © 1998 Viking