Baked Oysters and Spinach with Walnut Sauce Recipe 🍽️
Overview:
Indulge in the decadent flavors of the sea with this tantalizing Baked Oysters and Spinach dish, elevated with a rich Walnut Sauce. Perfect for a special occasion or an exquisite dinner at home, this recipe promises to impress even the most discerning palates. With a harmonious blend of fresh oysters, vibrant spinach, and a creamy walnut sauce, each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures.
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups spinach
- 5 tablespoons Pernod
- 2 onions, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 dozen fresh oysters, shucked
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon tarragon
- 1 tablespoon green peppercorns
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 egg yolks
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Wine Sauce:
- Begin by preparing the wine sauce, which can be made up to 1 week in advance for convenience.
- In a medium saucepan, combine shallots, tarragon, and green peppercorns with white wine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it’s reduced by half. Set it aside.
- Melt butter in another saucepan, then remove it from heat and whisk in the flour to create a roux.
- Gradually add chicken stock, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Return the mixture to heat, then add the prepared wine mixture and bring it to a simmer, whisking often.
- Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Season with salt and white pepper, then add the heavy cream, whisking well.
- Let it simmer for an additional 3 minutes, then adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Strain the sauce through a fine sieve, transfer it to a container, and pour melted butter over the top to prevent a skin from forming.
- This wine sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
2. Prepare the Oysters:
- Start by shucking the fresh oysters and placing the meat in a bowl. Set it aside.
- Place the empty oyster shells in a pot of rapidly boiling water for 1 minute, then remove them, pat dry, and set them aside.
- In a saucepan, cook the spinach with Pernod, diced onions, minced garlic, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg for about 1 minute, or until the spinach is just wilted.
- Drain off any excess liquid from the spinach and chop it finely.
- Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of cooked spinach into the center of each oyster shell and set them aside.
- Blanch the oyster meat in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain them and place one oyster on top of each spinach bed.
3. Prepare the Walnut Sauce:
- To prepare the walnut sauce, heat up 1 1/2 cups of the prepared white wine sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add chopped walnuts and stir well to incorporate.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the egg yolks, blending thoroughly.
- Add fresh lemon juice to the saucepan and mix well.
- Season the walnut sauce with salt and pepper according to taste.
4. Assembly and Baking:
- Spoon the walnut sauce generously over each oyster to cover them completely.
- Arrange the oyster-filled shells on a baking tray and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake the oysters for 6-7 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the oysters are cooked through.
- Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and carefully transfer the oysters to a serving plate.
- Sprinkle the oysters with fresh lemon juice, chopped walnuts, and parsley for a delightful finishing touch.
- Serve immediately while still hot and enjoy the luxurious flavors of this exquisite dish!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 621.9
- Total Fat: 36.6g
- Saturated Fat: 16.1g
- Cholesterol: 248.8mg
- Sodium: 713.7mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 32.2g
- Dietary Fiber: 10.3g
- Sugar: 4.1g
- Protein: 33.3g
Indulge in the sumptuous flavors of the ocean with this elegant Baked Oysters and Spinach dish, elevated to perfection with a luscious Walnut Sauce. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself to a gourmet meal at home, this recipe is sure to delight your taste buds and leave a lasting impression on your guests. Enjoy the luxurious combination of plump oysters, tender spinach, and creamy walnut sauce for a dining experience that’s truly unforgettable!
