Oysters Rockefeller facts for kids
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| Course | Hors d'oeuvre, Entrée |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | New Orleans |
| Main ingredients | Oysters |
Oysters Rockefeller is a famous dish made with oysters. These oysters are served on their half-shells. They are covered with a rich, green sauce made from butter, herbs, and bread crumbs. Then, they are baked or broiled until golden. Often, a slice of lemon is added on top.
Sometimes, the green sauce gets its color from spinach. But the original recipe is a secret! You might also find versions with small pieces of bacon. This dish is a popular starter (appetizer) in restaurants all over the United States. It's also a favorite for brunch, especially in the South.
How Oysters Rockefeller Began
Oysters Rockefeller was first made in 1889. It was created at a famous restaurant called Antoine's in New Orleans. Jules Alciatore, whose father founded the restaurant, invented the dish.
Jules came up with the idea because there weren't enough escargot (snails) available. So, he decided to use local oysters instead. The original recipe is still a secret today! Many people have enjoyed this dish over the years.
The dish got its name, Oysters Rockefeller, because it was very rich. It was named after John D. Rockefeller, who was one of the wealthiest Americans at that time. The dish is known for its rich flavor and green sauce.
Even though the exact recipe is a secret, it's known to include a mix of green vegetables. These might include parsley, celery, scallions or chives, olive oil, and capers. Many chefs have tried to copy the dish, but none have perfectly matched the original.
Chef Alton Brown once said on his TV show Good Eats that Jules Alciatore took the recipe with him when he died. This means any version you taste today is just a guess at the original. Even though many people think spinach is in the sauce because of its green color, the chefs at Antoine's say it's not.
Gallery
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Oysters Rockefeller
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Oysters Rockefeller topped with bacon
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Oysters Rockefeller heavily broiled
