All You Need to Know About Oyster Rockefeller

This photo was my first attempt to cook Oyster Rockefeller at home 3 Years Ago, Fair Oaks, CA 💗

In our recent Lunch Excursion at Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay,  I did not hesitate to order my favorite seafood Dish-Oyster Rockefeller. As a matter of fact, one of the THD residents in our Lunch Group mentioned that the reason why I went to Sam's was just to order the dish and he is correct in his statement. 

My 2 beautiful Lunch Dates- Mary Ann DeWald and Linda Lachick

The other members of our lunch group asked me what is Oyster Rockefeller and I simply told them it has spinach, cheese, garlic, onions,  breaded and baked.  However, the link below is the complete and detailed of the history and variations of these delightful dish for your reading pleasure and information in case you are not familiar with this dish.💚💚

Oysters Rockefeller is a classic seafood recipe originating from the United States, and it has become an iconic dish in American cuisine ever since. The name “Oysters Rockefeller” is derived from John D. Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest individuals in the history of the United States. While there are numerous stories about its origin, one thing is sure - it’s a delicious delicacy everyone should enjoy! 

The original Oysters Rockefeller recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but some common elements are prominent in most contemporary versions. Fresh oysters are the dish's centerpiece, nestled within their half shells and topped with a delectable blend of creamed spinach, butter, breadcrumbs, herbs, and a generous splash of liquor. The concoction is then broiled or baked to create a delightful warm crust, enhancing the natural flavors of the oysters with unparalleled richness. In some recipes a dash of Pernod Absinthe or White wine is added to the sauce during the cooking of the spinach/'herbs/onions/garlic sautéed mixture.

The luxurious flavors of Oysters Rockefeller pair beautifully with a range of drinks and dishes to provide an elegant dining experience. Sparkling wines or champagne often complement the rich oyster flavors, while a classic white wine, such as Sancerre or Sauvignon Blanc, can balance the sauce's richness. 

My first experience of this dish was several decades ago. Macrine (my late spouse) and I enjoyed it for the first time when we visited New Orleans in the 1980's. Macrine who was an excellent cook was curious and she decided to cooked it with her own variations after that. When Macrine joined her Creator in 2020, I started cooking it myself.  Here are the links ( postings) I wrote previously on Oyster Rockefeller.       

💗https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2019/09/i-feel-like-cooking-oyster-rockefeller.html

💖https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/07/i-cooked-oyster-rockefeller-yesterday.html

Here are the raw ingredients, I normally used in cooking Oyster Rockefeller or Oyster Bienville.  

Origin of Oyster Rockefeller and Oyster Bienville

Oysters Rockefeller, according to legend, were created about in New Orleans. They were invented to mark the occasion of a visit by industrialist John D. Rockefeller to the Crescent City.

Oysters Bienville, on the other hand, also comes to us from New Orleans. It was named in honor of an early governor Louisiana, Jean de Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville.

These two are very elegant dishes . They are the epitome of style and sophistication and the very embodiment of living the good life.

💚💚https://www.rockefellerscottsdale.com/post/all-about-oysters-rockefeller#:~:text=Pairing%20and%20Serving%20Suggestions,-The%20luxurious%20flavors&text=A%20cold%20beer%20also%20works,for%20a%20more%20casual%20pairing.&text=As%20a%20side%20dish%20or,the%20star%20ingredients%20to%20shine.

Meanwhile Here are the Restaurants in the Walnut Creek Area that Has Oyster Rockefeller in their Menu.    

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Oysters+Rockefeller&find_loc=Walnut+Creek%2C+CA

My personal recommendation is the Walnut Creek Yatch Club, two blocks from THD, a 3 to 5 minute walk. Be sure to call for reservations, however.   

I feel like Cooking Oyster Rockefeller Today

Today is not a special day such as my birthday or Mother's day. I just feel like cooking a special dish to celebrate being alive and without lingering pains in my octogenarian body. Thank you Lord for this day!

Oyster Rockefeller is one of my favorite dish to cook. With the availability of fresh oysters, it is an easy recipe.

I used spinach, Parmesan cheese, onions, garlic, olive oil, parsley and bread crumbs as the ingredients. Sometimes I add bacon/mushrooms/shrimps(Bienville)*, If I have it in my refrigerator.  My recipe is similar to this recipe.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/oysters-rockefeller/  

For other ways of preparing oysters visit the following site:

https://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/raw-rockefeller-9-essential-oyster-preparations

*Origin of Oyster Rockefeller and Oyster Bienville

Oysters Rockefeller, according to legend, were created about in New Orleans. They were invented to mark the occasion of a visit by industrialist John D. Rockefeller to the Crescent City.

Oysters Bienville, on the other hand, also comes to us from New Orleans. It was named in honor of an early governor Louisiana, Jean de Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville.

These two are very elegant dishes . They are the epitome of style and sophistication and the very embodiment of living the good life.

Feasting on Fresh Oysters-Recipe for Oyster Rockefeller

This article with more information was first published on my HubPages account on 8/23/14.

Yesterday while I was shopping for groceries in Food Max, my eyes bulged with excitement when I saw 2 dozen of live fresh oysters. I was not intending to buy it, because it was not in my budget, but I thought it is time to celebrate the final closing of my home refinancing loan which will save me about $160 from my monthly mortgage payment beginning next month. The 24 live oysters( 12 medium and 12 large sizes)cost me $19.99. This is still cheap if you compare eating oysters in Red Lobster or in any seafood restaurant here in Northern California. The 12 large Oysters I baked in the oven at 350F for only 15 minutes. Do not over baked as the oysters will get dry. Shut off the oven as soon as the shells begin to open. Serve the baked oysters with a twist of lemon and Tabasco sauce. Serve with fresh steamed corn on the cub and a glass of white wine(chardonnay). Yum, Yum, Yum!

The species I purchased were the Pacific oysters farmed in the area near the Point Reyes National Park, North of San Francisco and South of Bodega Bay. These large oysters are sweet and meaty, but not as delicious as the Philippine variety that I am used to. These large oysters are a mouthful for eating raw, but they are perfect for grilling and baking!


The other 12 medium size I made into Oyster Rockefeller from my wife's collection of recipes as follows:

6 oz shredded sharp cheddar
12 fresh, live medium oysters
1 box frozen chopped spinach
1/8 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 dash hot pepper sauce( Tabasco or El Tapatio brand))
1/2 bar salted butter( margarine or Australian can butter will do)
2 cups Rock salt for presentation only

Clean oysters with warm water., Broil on High or boil until shells open. Do not over cooked.. Remove from oven or pot and cool oysters. When cooled break the top shell off of each oyster. Chopped oysters 1/2 cm.

Chopped the thawed spinach, bread crumbs, and green onions. Sauteed in butter or margarine until spinach is cooked. Add the salt and hot sauce to your taste, .

Arrange the oysters in their half shells on a pan with Rock salt. Spoon some of the spinach mixture on each oyster half shell. Add bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese on top. Broil for about 10 minutes until bread crumbs turn brown and the cheese melts..Served with garlic bread and chardonnay.

* My wife's other variation of this recipe is to use bacon chips instead of the cheddar cheese

New Years Eve/Day Traditions All Over the World- Photos of the Dinner and the Duo Gadjo Concert

Happy New Year to All! Good bye 2025. Welcome 2026.

Did you know that twelve Round Fruits in Your Table (for Prosperity and Wealth)-is a Filipino Traditions at New Year? 

The past years, I have posted New Years Eve and Day Traditions and Superstition ( see website at end of this blog) in the Philippines. Today I am reprinting for your information 12 Fascinating New Years Eve traditions from other parts of the world as well and as follows: 

TWELVE FASCINATING NEW YEAR’S EVE TRADITIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD BY

Shutterstock / MEzairi

In the U.S., we usher out the last day of the year with cocktails, ball drops and fireworks. Elsewhere, other types of symbolism play a big role in this final holiday of the season. 

Taste of Home

JAPAN

Just before midnight on New Year’s Eve, the Japanese eat soba noodles. The Toshikoshi soba, which translates to a “year-crossing” buckwheat noodle dish, has lots of symbolism. The long noodle denotes the crossing from one year to the next. Since it’s an easily cut noodle, it signifies a letting go of the past year’s regrets—a cutting-off, if you will, before the fresh start the new year brings.

Aripai Leangphet/Shutterstock

SPAIN

In Spain, with 12 seconds remaining until the New Year, people eat 12 green grapes to bring good luck in the coming year. It’s thought to be bad luck if you can’t eat them all by the final midnight chime. But gobble them down in time and 12 months of good fortune will come your way.

Taste of Home

FRANCE- MY FAVORITE OYSTER ROCKEFELLER 

The French usually ring in the New Year with a huge feast, commonly know as le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. The meal is full of traditional, decadent eats, including foie gras, oysters, lobster and escargot. And, just like in the U.S., champagne is the drink of choice.

Shutterstock / barbajones

ITALY

Italians love lentils for their coin-like shape, symbolizing luck and prosperity. A New Year’s Eve dinner usually features this legume to bring on luck in the coming year. Pork is often added to lentil dishes in the form of cotechino, a spicy sausage, or zampone, a deboned pig trotter, to represent the plenitude of the land.

LI Cook/Shutterstock

COLOMBIA

On the last night of the year, Colombians place three potatoes—one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half peeled—under their beds. At midnight, they pull out the first potato they touch. Peeled means they’ll have financial problems, unpeeled indicates abundance, and half peeled…well, somewhere in between.

Shutterstock / David Carillet

AUSTRALIA

Australians celebrate the New Year with midnight fireworks in cities and towns throughout the country. Firework displays are launched off bridges, such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from jetties along the beaches, and on river banks, with the lights of the fireworks sparkling off the water. In a typical year, people pack picnic baskets and arrive hours early to get the best viewing spots.

Zb89V/Shutterstock

THE PHILIPPINES

Filipino culture celebrates the New Year by serving 12 round fruits. The round shape symbolizes coins, which represent prosperity and wealth for each month of the upcoming year. Apples, melons, oranges and grapes are popular picks, but any round fruit will do.

Shutterstock / V. Belov

DENMARK

After a traditional New Year’s Eve meal of boiled cod with mustard, the Danes eat a tower of marzipan doughnuts called kransekage, meaning “wreath cake.” It was once called overflødighedshorn (cornucopia), because the whole doughnut tower was tipped on its side, with chocolate and treats spilling out. This traditional cake is also served at weddings and birthdays.

Shutterstock / Alexander Lukatskiy

CANADA

In rural areas of Canada, New Year’s Eve is a time to spend ice fishing with friends. Celebrations on the frozen ponds and rivers tend to last all night as buddies fish in the open or in fishing shacks and perhaps catch a fish or two to help celebrate the coming year.

Taste of Home

IRELAND

The Irish have a tradition of banging bread against the walls of their houses on New Year’s Eve. The idea is that bad luck and evil spirits are chased away and good luck is invited in. It also ensures that the coming year will be filled with an abundance of bread and other food.

OZMedia/Shutterstock

BRAZIL

In Brazil, particular foods are eaten to invite good luck for the coming year. Seven is the lucky number on New Year’s Eve, so seven pomegranate seeds are eaten to keep the purse full, and seven grapes ensure abundance in all areas of life. Some Brazilians also jump over seven waves in the ocean and make seven wishes for the new year as they leap.

Shutterstock / Africa Studio

GREECE

The Greeks ring in the new year by eating vasilopita, a sweet yeast bread. Eaten at midnight, the bread is made in honor of Greece’s revered St. Basil. Before serving the family, beginning with the oldest member, households set a slice of bread aside for the saint and another portion for those in need. A coin is baked into the bread and the person whose slice contains the coin is in for a year filled with good fortune.

 

For details about New Year Eve and Day Traditions in the Philippines and other Part of the World visit: 

https://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2019/12/new-years-eve-and-day-superstition-in.html 

https://holidappy.com/holidays/New-Years-Eve-Superstitions-and-Traditions 

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic:

Filipino New Year traditions focus on bringing prosperity, featuring 12 round fruits, polka dots for wealth, sticky rice for family unity, and jumping at midnight to grow taller, while other cultures use grapes (Spain/Mexico), breaking dishes (Denmark), loud noises (globally), and specific foods like dumplings (China) for luck, all centered on welcoming fortune and good health for the new year. 

Philippines (Pamahiin) 

• 12 Round Fruits: A platter of 12 round fruits (like apples, grapes, watermelon) symbolizes coins and prosperity for each month.
• Polka Dots: Wearing polka dots brings wealth, as the round shapes mimic coins.
• Sticky Rice: Eating rice cakes (bibingka, biko) signifies strengthening family bonds.
• Jumping at Midnight: Children jump at midnight to grow taller in the new year.
• Open Doors & Coins: Opening doors and scattering coins invites good fortune.
• Media Noche Feast: A midnight feast with pancit (long noodles for long life) and avoiding chicken/fish. 

Around the World

• Spain & Mexico: Eating 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime, for luck in each month.
• Denmark: Throwing old plates and glasses at front doors to banish bad luck.
• China & Asia: Eating dumplings (like money bags) and oranges (gold) for wealth.
• Globally: Making resolutions, watching ball drops (NYC), making noise (fireworks, horns).
• Ireland: Hitting walls with bread to ward off spirits. 

These traditions blend cultural beliefs with hopes for health, wealth, and good fortune in the coming year, with many centered around circular shapes and symbolic foods. 

Lastly, 

New Year Greetings From My Home ( The Heritage Downtown, WC, CA, USA) to Yours! 

The new ball in New York City's Times Square features 5,280 Waterford crystals and Led lights. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Finally, here are some photos, of our New Year Eve Dinner here at THD

Main Lobster Tail or Rack of Lamb?  

Before and After of the Lobster Tail- Yummy, Indeed! 

Finally, here's the photos from the Duo Gadjo -One Hour Presentation last night.💚 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/12/duo-gadjo-at-thd-new-years-eve-bash.html

Me and Steve Holzman

💚The Duo Gadjo Band 

Finally, here's the five top news of the Day

1️⃣ Deadly New Year’s fire at Swiss ski resort
A catastrophic blaze tore through a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort during New Year’s Day celebrations, killing dozens and injuring many more. Emergency services are responding and authorities have launched an investigation into the cause. New York Post+1

2️⃣ Zohran Mamdani sworn in as NYC mayor — shifting local politics
Muslim and immigrant communities were pivotal in electing Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor, marking a demographic and political shift in the city’s leadership. The Washington Post

3️⃣ Trump’s Ukraine peace plan faces major Russian resistance
President Trump’s proposal to resolve the Ukraine war clashes with fundamental Russian positions, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions over the conflict’s future. The Washington Post

4️⃣ Trump drops push for National Guard deployment in major U.S. cities
The White House has stepped back from plans to send National Guard troops to Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities for security missions — a shift in domestic policy direction. PBS

5️⃣ Pope Leo XIV opens 2026 with global peace appeal
At St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Pope marked New Year’s Day with calls for peace in war-torn regions and healing from violence, underscoring global challenges as the year begins. AP News