P&J's Oysters Joseph

SAL SUNSERI, SR.

This recipe continues to be the one most often served when the current generation of the widespread Sunseri family gets together for a feast. Their father, the late Sal Sunseri, Sr. was the powerhouse who moved P&Js Oysters forward, making it what it is today. He created Oysters Joseph, which was always his favorite dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 gallon shucked oysters
  • strained oyster liquor
  • 1 stick unsalted butter or margarine
  • 8 toes garlic, minced
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped
  • 3 cups seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
  • 3 lemons
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

YIELD: 10 to 12 servings


Preheat the oven to Broil.

Strain the oyster liquor to remove grit. Set aside. In large heavy bottomed skillet, melt butter or margarine over a low heat. Sauté minced garlic in until soft and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add oysters and liquor. Cook oysters with sauted garlic for about 3-5 minutes until the oysters plump and edges begin to curl.

Using a 9"-13" Pyrex dish or similar sized casserole dish, spread 1 cup of breadcrumbs evenly on the bottom of the dish. Spoon a layer of oysters and sautéed garlic mixture with 1/3 of the uncooked green onions top of the breadcrumbs.

Add the second 1 cup layer of breadcrumbs and sprinkle a 1/3 cup layer of Romano cheese over them. Drizzle olive oil on top of breadcrumbs and cheese then add the zest of one lemon as well as the juice of the lemon. On top of the layer spoon the remaining oysters and sautéed garlic mixture and the remaining uncooked green onions. Add the last layer of breadcrumbs and sprinkle a 2/3 cup layer of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Cut 1 lemon in 1/8 inch slices and place on top of the cheese and breadcrumbs. Broil on the oven's middle rack until cheese is golden brown and the dish is heated through, 4 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully.

Squeeze the juice of the last lemon on top of the casserole before serving.

The amount of ingredients can be reduced incrementally to produce a smaller quantity.


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