Rockefeller Salad

3 eggs
1 10 oz package of Mr. Pete’s Seasoned Cajun Oyster Fry
20 oysters, shucked
1 pound baby spinach
1/2 pound mixed greens
8 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled

For Vinaigrette
2 egg yokes
1/4 cup blue cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon chives, chopped
1 teaspoon parsley, chopped
black pepper, to taste

Separate two of the egg yokes from the whites.

In a food processor or steel bowl and whisk, beat the egg yokes, 1/4 cup of the blue cheese and Dijon. Slowly emulsify the oil into the egg mixture. When it begins to look creamy, add the lemon juice, vinegar, buttermilk, pepper, and herbs. Set aside.

Whip the egg whites in a bowl. Dip the oysters in the egg whites, then into the seasoned flour mixture.

Deep fry in oil at 375ºF for about 1-2 minutes or until crispy.

Toss the mixed greens and spinach with the vinaigrette. Top with the fried oysters, bacon, and Parmesan cheese.

Creamed Spinach with Bacon

1 pound fresh spinach soaked several times in salt water to remove grit, well-rinsed and dried in a salad spinner

4 ounces bacon (about 4 strips)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup Parmesan

Salt and pepper

Freshly ground black pepper

Cook bacon until crispy in a sauté pan and remove to paper towel to drain and cool. Pour most of the fat out of the pan and add the cream to the same pan over low heat, reducing by about one-third.

While the cream is reducing, tear or chop the spun spinach, and cut the bacon strips into 1/4-inch pieces.

Whisk the Parmesan into the reduced cream, and season with pepper. Since the cheese will add saltiness, add salt only if needed. Fold the well-drained spinach and bacon into the sauce and simmer until spinach is just tender. Transfer to a serving dish.

Creamed Spinach with Leaks and Garlic

2 pounds fresh spinach, washed and tough stems removed

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup sliced and cleaned leeks

1 teaspoon minced garlic

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup heavy cream

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Drain in a fine mesh strainer, pressing with a large spoon to release as much water as possible. Finely chop and set aside.

Melt the butter in medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, just until the liquid is released. Add the cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and cook until the cream is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

Oysters Rockefeller

36 oysters, in shells

1 bunch spinach, washed

1 parsley bunch, leaves

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

rock salt

1 bunch green onions cleaned of roots

1 large stalk celery

1 Tbsp pimentos

1 juice of lemon

Using food processor, process spinach, onion tops and parsley until fine. Mix with celery,pimentos, melted butter and lemon juice. Fill 6 cake pans half full with rock salt. Place 6 oysters on half shell in each pan. Cover each oyster with 1 teaspoon vegetable mixture. Place plates under broiler; cook until edges of oysters curl, then serve . They don't stay in the pan long enough to cool.