Smoked Oyster Spinach Bake with Parmesan Crust
Indulge in the luxurious flavors of Smoked Oyster Spinach Bake, a delightful dish that showcases the rich umami of smoked oysters combined with fresh spinach in a creamy sauce. This elegant recipe features tender shallots and a touch of music from nutmeg, all topped with a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb crust. Perfect for impressing guests at a dinner party or enjoying a gourmet meal at home, these oysters can be prepared a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while ensuring maximum freshness and moistness. Serve them hot for an unforgettable culinary experience!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
smoked oysters
12 (on the half shell)
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
large shallot
1 (minced (about 3 tablespoons))
kosher salt
to taste (for seasoning)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
fresh spinach leaves
3 cups (packed, washed, and stemmed (or 1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained thoroughly))
dry white wine
2 tablespoons (or 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice)
heavy cream
1/3 cup (at room temperature)
fresh ground nutmeg
2 large pinches (for flavor)
grated parmesan cheese
1.5 tablespoons (for topping)
breadcrumbs
to taste (for topping)
Instructions
1
To prepare for broiling, line a small baking dish (approximately 9 x 11 inches) with rock salt or coarse sea salt. This will help stabilize the oyster shells during cooking.
2
Smoke the oysters according to your preferred method and allow them to cool to room temperature.
3
While the oysters cool, prepare the filling: In a medium skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until foaming. Add the minced shallot, season lightly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, and sauté for about 4 minutes until the shallots are tender and fragrant.
4
Incorporate the fresh spinach into the skillet and stir, cooking just until the leaves are wilted and bright green, which should take about 2 minutes. If using frozen spinach, ensure you squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the skillet. Cook until heated through.
5
Next, add the dry white wine or lemon juice and cook until the liquid evaporates. Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the fresh ground nutmeg. Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the cream reduces by half and thickens. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
6
Once cooled, carefully nestle the smoked oysters back into their shells, firmly pressing them into the lined baking dish to keep them level. Spoon the creamy spinach filling evenly over the oysters, ensuring each one is fully covered.
7
In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Generously sprinkle this mixture over each filled oyster.
8
Adjust your oven rack so it's about 5 inches from the broiler and preheat the broiler. Broil the oysters for about 3 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown. Rotate the pan as necessary for even browning.
9
Serve the oysters immediately while they're hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoked Oyster Spinach Bake?
It is a gourmet seafood dish featuring smoked oysters on the half shell topped with a creamy spinach and nutmeg sauce and a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb crust.
What are the primary flavors in this dish?
The dish combines the rich umami of smoked oysters with earthy spinach, aromatic shallots, a hint of nutmeg, and a salty Parmesan finish.
How many oysters does this recipe use?
This recipe is designed for 12 smoked oysters on the half shell.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use 1/4 cup of frozen chopped spinach; ensure it is defrosted and all excess moisture is squeezed out before cooking.
How do I stabilize the oysters in the baking dish?
Line a small baking dish with rock salt or coarse sea salt to create a stable base for the oyster shells.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A small baking dish approximately 9 x 11 inches is recommended for this recipe.
What can I substitute for dry white wine?
You can use 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice as a substitute for the 2 tablespoons of dry white wine.
How long do I need to sauté the shallots?
Sauté the minced shallots in butter for about 4 minutes until they are tender and fragrant.
What is the purpose of the heavy cream?
The heavy cream is reduced to create a thick, rich sauce that binds the spinach filling together.
How much should I reduce the heavy cream?
The cream should be simmered until it reduces by half and reaches a thickened consistency.
Why is nutmeg added to the spinach filling?
Fresh ground nutmeg adds a subtle, warm 'music' of flavor that traditionally complements cream-based spinach dishes.
What kind of cheese is best for the crust?
The recipe calls for grated Parmesan cheese mixed with breadcrumbs for a savory, crispy topping.
How long do the oysters need to broil?
Broil the oysters for approximately 3 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
How far from the broiler should the pan be placed?
Adjust your oven rack so it sits about 5 inches from the broiler element.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes, these oysters can be prepared a day in advance, which allows the flavors to meld beautifully; just ensure they remain fresh and moist.
What is the best way to serve these oysters?
Serve them immediately while hot, potentially garnished with fresh herbs for an elegant presentation.
Is it necessary to cool the spinach mixture before filling?
Yes, the recipe recommends allowing the spinach filling to cool to room temperature before spooning it over the oysters.
How many shallots are needed?
You will need one large shallot, which should yield about 3 tablespoons when minced.
What seasoning is used for the spinach?
The spinach is seasoned with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, and two large pinches of fresh ground nutmeg.
How much spinach is required?
You will need 3 packed cups of fresh spinach leaves that have been washed and stemmed.
Should the cream be cold?
The recipe specifies using 1/3 cup of heavy cream at room temperature.
How do I prepare the breadcrumb topping?
Mix 1.5 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs to taste in a small bowl.
Do I need to smoke the oysters myself?
The recipe instructions involve smoking the oysters according to your preferred method and allowing them to cool before assembly.
What type of butter is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Why use rock salt in the pan?
Rock salt keeps the uneven oyster shells level and upright so the filling does not spill out during broiling.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
While fresh is usually preferred for gourmet recipes, bottled can be used if fresh lemon juice or white wine is unavailable.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
It features a contrast between the tender, moist smoked oyster, the creamy spinach, and the crunchy Parmesan crust.
Is this dish suitable for appetizers?
Yes, it is tagged specifically as an appetizer and is perfect for dinner parties.
What tags define this recipe?
Key tags include smoked oysters, spinach, baked oysters, parmesan, seafood, and gourmet recipe.
How do I know the filling is ready?
The filling is ready when the cream has thickened and the mixture has been tasted and adjusted for seasoning.