THE SOUTHERN OYSTER NASHVILLE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium-high. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, scallions, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until vegetables soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add oysters and mushrooms. Bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a small saucepan over medium. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add cream, and cook, whisking constantly, until very thick and beginning to bubble. Add Parmesan, and cook, whisking constantly, until cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
• Using a fine wire-mesh strainer, strain oyster mixture; discard liquid. Add oyster mixture to cheese sauce; stir until fully incorporated. Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Spread mixture in a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter; toss breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over oyster mixture.
• Broil on middle rack of oven until breadcrumbs are deep golden brown and mixture is bubbly, 4 to 5 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat over to 400 degrees F.  Generously grease a shallow 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.
• If your oysters are not shucked, shucking oysters, and drain well.
• Sprinkle 1/2 of the saltine cracker crumbs over the bottom of prepared casserole dish.  Lay half of the oysters on top of the cracker crumbs, then sprinkle with 1/2 of the onions, 1/2 of the parsley, 1/2 of the lemon juice, salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.  Dot generously with 1/2 of the butter and pour 1/2 of the cream over the top.
• Repeat layers with the remaining oyster, onions, parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.  Dot with the remaining 1/2 of the butter.  Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of cracker crumbs for the top.  Pour the remaining 1/2 of the cream over the top.  Add a dash of Tabasco if desired before covering with the remaining saltine cracker crumbs.  Dust the top with paprika, using enough to make it really red.
• Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and serve hot.
• Makes 6 servings.