Oyster Fricassee Recipes

OYSTER FRICASSEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Drain oysters, reserving oyster liquor; set aside. In a large saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery; cook and stir until tender, 4-6 minutes. Stir in flour until blended; gradually whisk in cream. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly; cook until thickened, about 2 minutes., Reduce heat; add next 5 ingredients and reserved oyster liquor. Cook and stir until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir a small amount of hot liquid into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. , Pour half the sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with half the oysters; sprinkle with half the cracker crumbs. Repeat layers. Melt remaining butter; drizzle over top. , Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 23-28 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and thyme sprigs.

FRICASSEE OF SHELLFISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream the butter with the garlic, 2 teaspoons of parsley, the shallot, 2 tablespoons of wine, 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
• Puree the tomatoes in a food processor. Pass through a fine sieve or fine screen of a food mill. There should be about 1 cup of liquid.
• Just before serving, bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a large stockpot. Add the mussels and clams, cover and steam until the shellfish open. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the tomato liquid to a boil and add the heavy cream and remaining 2 tablespoons of wine. Simmer for 4 minutes. Whisk in the butter mixture.
• Turn the heat to low and warm the oysters in the sauce. Strain the shellfish cooking liquid and add 1 cup to the tomato mixture, discarding the rest. Divide the shellfish among 4 large bowls. Remove the oysters from the sauce and add them to the bowls.
• Stir the lemon juice into the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the shellfish and sprinkle the bowls with the remaining parsley. Serve immediately.