New, unique, regional, family secret sides for T-day!?

Let's hear about stuff that we may not have thought about
for Thanksgiving or Christmas (since it's just around the corner).

I'm playing with a garlic cheese grits, shrimp and andouille thing.

Whatta ya got?!?!

This oughta be good!!

-YB

Probably not unusual, but my mom makes the best oyster casserole for T-Day. Usually, the only way I eat oysters is raw, but man, it is so good and simple to boot. I think it is just oysters, the liquor, cream and crackers. Man, I can't wait to have that. Good stuff!

Don't just tell us about it.

TELL US ABOUT IT!!!

Details!

Ever hear of things called recipes?!?!?!?

-YB

I'll try to get it from her, but if she threatens death, I will hold you responsible. Not that that will matter, cause I'll be dead. Selfish!

Just get it!!

It'll heal.

Kentucky Oyster Casserole: 1 pint oysters, 1 Pint Half and half. Worchestershire sauce and tabasco, eggs and crackers.
First., drain and save the liquor from the oysters. Now, mix that with the half and half, 1 egg, a dash or two of W-sauce and Tabasco, get that good and mixed and hold onto it. Next, layer your oysters first, then the crackers (crushed, of course) just like a lasagna. Make at least two or three layers. When youre done doing that, pour the liquid mixture over it. Cook it at 300 for about 30-45 minutes. Make sure to butter the dish you bake it in. If it looks too dry, add more h and h. This is really good, give it a shot. Matthew

Sounds like a variation of scalloped oysters.

Gonna give it a try this weekend.
(just a nut for shellfish!!)

Let ya'll know.

That is exactly what it is. I couldn' t remember the name. Good luck! Oyster casserole??!!, what a doofus.

Some versions use saltine, some use Ritz.

I like to add some shallots or minced Vidalias.
(gotta have some crushed red pepper as well)

Some actually use the oyster crackers- ya know those ones you throw in soup. As for Ritz and Saltines (while good) I would go with Club and Townhouse -those magical elves make a good cracker. Funny that oysters came up, I was thinking about trying oyster stuffing for the first time this year. As for an oyster dish that I have tried and that has become a frequent request at "bring a dish" events. Oyster pie:


Ingredients:
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup chopped green onion, tops and bottoms
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 stalks celery, chopped
3/4 cup milk
Salt, black and red pepper to taste
1 pint oysters
Hot sauce to taste
1 small clove garlic, minced
8-inch unbaked pie shell, top and bottom
1/4 bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup minced parsley

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cooking Instructions:
Make a roux with oil and flour, stirring constantly until it reaches the hue of a brown paper bag.
Add milk. Stir well.
Drain juice from oysters and add only oysters to sauce.
Cook for 15 minutes or until oysters have thrown off all their juice. If mixture is too thick, add oyster juice.
Add chopped ingredients and lastly...
Add salt, peppers and hot sauce to taste. (Salt must be added last to keep milk from curdling.
Put oyster mixture in unbaked 8-inch pie shell and cover with top crust.
Start pie at 450 degrees and cook 15 minutes to prevent inside crust from being soggy.
Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue cooking until nicely browned.
Serve while hot. Serves 6 to 8.

One of my favorite dishes at my families Thanksgiving is egg noodles. Simple egg and flour noodles, cut VERY thin with a noodle maker, then dried. We use the broth from the turkey to cook them up. They are far and above my favorite comfort food!! I was always surprised as I got older, that everyone didn't have noodles for Thanksgiving!
Dont' skim any fat off the tukey broth! Makes them sooooo rich!
My family always makes oyster dressing. Oysters are one of those things that smell so good, but I can't stand them!!! I wish I could get a taste for them. My Grandma always used to make a beautiful Oyster soup with real cream and butter that was sooooo pretty. Again, I love cream based soup (love Boston clam chowder!) but I just can't stomach the oysters.
Laura

My wife has been cooking Thanksgiving dinner for both of our families for close to 25 years. She has a lot of regular sides, but likes to sneak in something new every couple of years. The list just keeps growing, because we are not allowed to remove anything. Besides the two turkeys (1 roasted, 1 smoked), mashed spuds, gravy, dressing, cranberry-raspberry sauce, yeast rolls, muffins and 3 desserts (never the same), our favorites are:

Sweet potato casserole
Spinach pie
Sweet corn souffle

Frankly, I have trouble finding room for the turkey.

besides the normal stuff we also have lumpia, pancit
and suman. good eats !

My dad's red wine and mushroom gravy.......It's an alcoholic beverage on its own. He's the only one that knows how to make it and he won't share the recipe or technique. He even prepares it a few hours before everyone arrives so no one can see how he makes it. All I know is that it's the best gravy I've ever had...............

Just thought I'd give this a polite bump.