Baked oysters in a rich and luxurious vermouth cream and topped with buttery bacon breadcrumbs is the perfect festive treat to enjoy with a Dickens-inspired Christmas menu!
Ebenezer Scrooge watches the Cratchit family enjoy a decadent Christmas dinner feast when he is visited by the ghost of Christmas present. In contrast to Scrooge’s cold-heartedness and greed, the Cratchits are a display of family, love, warmth and generosity. Willing to make do with their meager resources, the Cratchits manage to throw a resplendent feast!
Included in the Cratchit Christmas feast were baked oysters. Baked oysters were a popular dish during the Victorian era. While they are considered something of a luxury item today, oysters were actually quite common and affordable in Dickens’ time and they were equally enjoyed by the poor and the rich.
Having fallen on hard times, baked oysters would have sustained the Cratchit family when they couldn’t afford more luxurious meat. These baked oysters with vermouth cream, topped with a buttery crunch crumb with bacon, would have provided a luxurious and decadent touch to their Christmas feast and showcased the generosity and abundance of the holiday season.
Ingredients
Oysters: Make sure that they are fresh and from a reputable fishmonger. For the purposes of stuffing, I recommend choosing large oysters, so there is more room for the filling. However, you can choose any kind of fresh oyster that you prefer. It is strongly recommended to use an oyster shucker to open them, which has a strong, blunt edge. If you don’t have a shucker, you could use a table knife. Don’t attempt to use a really sharp knife in case it slips and you cut yourself.
Oyster liquor: The oyster liquor, or liquid inside the oyster, has incredible flavour and should not be wasted. Collect the liquor while shucking the oysters and set aside half a cup for the vermouth cream sauce. Strain the liquor through a fine mesh strainer to catch any grit that may be present.
Dry vermouth: Vermouth is a fortified wine infused with various botanicals and comes in dry or sweet varieties. For this cocktail choose a dry vermouth. Martini & Rossi or Cinzano are two popular brands that should be easy to source.
Panko breadcrumbs: I prefer using Panko breadcrumbs which are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs. This creates a crunchier topping for these delectable baked oysters. However, you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if you prefer.
How to Make Baked Oysters
Make the bacon crumb topping
In a skillet, cook two slices of bacon until crispy. Meanwhile, mince the garlic and chop the parsley. When the bacon is done, remove and set aside. Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté briefly until fragrant. Add the breadcrumbs and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent over browning. Season with the kosher salt and pepper.
Transfer the crumbs to a small bowl. Finely chop the crispy bacon and add to the crumbs along with the parsley. Stir together and set aside. The crumb topping can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
Shuck the oysters
You will need an oyster shucker to properly shuck an oyster. Place an oyster with the flat side facing up on a tea towel. Fold the towel over the oyster so that you can grip it tightly while protecting your hand from any sharp edges.
Insert the shucker between the the shells right at the hinge. You may need to exert considerable pressure to insert the shucker – be sure to angle the shucker down and not towards your hand in case it slips. Twist the shucker back and forth to pry the shell open.
Once the top shell has separated, run the shucker along the top to separate the oyster inside from the shell. Discard the top shell. Be sure to save the liquid, or liquor, from inside the oyster. Use the shucker to loosen the oyster from the bottom and the muscle holding it to the shell. Transfer the oyster and the liquor to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining oysters.
Rinse the bottom shells and pat dry. Use foil to create little nests for the oyster shells to sit on. Arrange the shells on a baking sheet, using the foil to keep them level. Set aside.
Make the filling
Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced shallots and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the shallots are tender and just beginning to brown. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.
Carefully pour the vermouth into the skillet, standing back in case it spatters. Allow the vermouth to simmer until it’s reduced by half. Add the whipping cream and 1/2 cup of the oyster liquor. Bring the cream to a simmer and cook until it is reduced and thickened. Season with kosher salt and pepper.
In a small cup, stir together the water and flour until smooth. Add to the cream and simmer for another minute until thickened. Transfer the vermouth cream to a bowl.
Fill and bake the oysters
To fill the oysters, begin by adding an oyster to each of the shells. Spoon a tablespoon or two of the vermouth cream into each shell. Top with a generous layer of crumbs. Bake for 15 minutes or until the oysters are bubbling around the edges.
To serve, use coarse salt, or foil nests, to create beds to support the oyster shells on a serving platter. Enjoy!
