Not Ya Mamas Oyster Dressing Recipes

TRADITIONAL NEW ORLEANS OYSTER DRESSING

Steps:

• In a LARGE black cast iron Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat and saute' the smoked sausage, onions, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and green onion tops until all of them are tender.
• The one thing you want to remember is to keep the butter hot, but don't let it burn (and don't let the garlic burn either or it will turn bitter).
• I also suggest that you keep stirring the mixture to cook it uniformly.
• Next, stir in the parsley.
• Then gradually stir in the chopped oysters, the oyster liquor, and the turkey pan drippings. Notice I said to gradually stir. The reason for this is that you do not want to reduce the heat, lowering the cooking temperature will cause excessive water to be released from the oysters and you'll have to add too much bread to the finished dish.
• Now cook the oysters gently over medium high heat for about 4 minutes, stirring all the while.
• And when all the ingredients are well mixed, drop in the poultry seasoning, basil, thyme, seafood seasoning, black pepper and salt. About the salt; taste your raw oysters to see if they are naturally salty before adding the prescribed amount.
• You may have to reduce additional salt if nature has provided her own.
• At this point, cover the pot, lower the heat, and simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes to allow time for the flavors to marry.
• This is one of the secrets to making a really good oyster dressing. Don't rush or skip this step!
• After the simmering process is done, remove the pot from the fire and begin adding the bread chunks a few at a time.
• Note that you do not have to add all four cups.
• If you want your dressing moist, stop adding bread when you get to the texture you desire.
• If you want a drier stuffing, add all four cups, even a little more if your taste and needs dictate.
• Now taste the dressing again and make your final seasoning adjustments.
• The objective is to get the bread to absorb all the pan liquor, thereby binding everything together.
• When, in your estimation, the dressing is ready (it shouldn't be soupy, but it shouldn't be dry either), allow it to cool slightly. Then rapidly stir in the raw egg to tie everything together and cover it for a few minutes to let it set up.
• This is where the richness comes in and it's how the final blending brings out full flavor.
• Oh, and if by chance you've miscalculated and made the mixture a bit too dry, just pour in a little extra turkey drippings.
• The only thing left to do is to transfer the dressing right from the Dutch oven to a buttered casserole dish, generously sprinkle the top with the buttered cracker crumbs, drizzle on a little extra melted butter, and bake it for about 25 minutes uncovered in a 375°F oven.
• Fresh bread chunks are better than dried crumbs in your oyster dressing because they tend to cook up fluffy rather than pasty. So to make fresh bread chunks, just take fresh sliced bread or French bread and pull apart small bite-side pieces.
• To make your buttered cracker crumb topping, simply drop regular saltine crackers into the processor and, while the blades are spinning, pour in a couple of tablespoons of melted butter.

QUICKEST OYSTER DRESSING EVER!

Steps:

• Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the celery until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in sage and poultry seasoning. Remove from heat.
• Mix chicken broth with water in a large saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium heat; stir in the margarine until melted. Lightly stir the cornbread stuffing mix into the broth mixture until the broth has absorbed; fluff the stuffing mix with a fork. Mix in enough oyster liquid to moisten the dressing, about 1/2 cup, or as desired. Gently stir in the celery with butter and seasonings from skillet, oysters, and black pepper.
• Cook the dressing until hot and the flavors have blended, about 5 minutes.

MOM'S OLD-FASHIONED OYSTER DRESSING

Steps:

• 1. In large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Saute' onions and celery. Add chicken broth and liquid from oysters. Remove from heat.
• 2. Add chopped oysters, bread crumbs, and all seasonings. Stir to mix well. If too moist, add more bread pieces. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• 3. Grease casserole and add dressing, smoothing the top. Another option would be to make large balls of dressing and place in casserole.
• 4. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until nicely browned.
• 5. Serve warm and enjoy!

GRANDMA'S OYSTER DRESSING

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly butter a large rectangular baking pan. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Sauté onions and celery in the butter until tender; remove from heat an add a small pinch of cayenne and let cool.
• 2. Combine cornbread and breadcrumbs in a large bowl; gently fold in sautéed onions, salt, pepper, and parsley. Add beaten eggs and toss more; moisten with the reserved oyster liquid until moist but not soggy. Gently stir in the oysters.
• 3. Pat the mixture into the prepared baking pan (it should make a 1-inch layer in the pan). Dot with remaining butter and bake about 45 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.

MOM'S OYSTER DRESSING/STUFFING

Steps:

• Heat milk, butter, and oyster liquid in small pan.
• Combine bread cubes, celery, onion, spices, and oysters. (You may cut up the oysters if they are too large for you.).
• Add liquid and stir.
• Stuff poultry or place in greased foil lined baking dish.
• Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until poultry is done.