What are Oysters Rockefeller?

Oysters Rockefeller is a popular appetizer that is very easy to make and packed with flavors. This amazing dish was first made by Jules Alciatore at his family-run restaurant Antoine’s in New Orleans, and is now being perfected by chefs worldwide. It got its name from Alciatore’s customers proclaiming his dish was as rich as Rockefeller, alluding to John D. Rockefeller who was a very wealthy man at his time. Despite its simplicity in ingredients and technique, this dish is rich in flavor and is perfect for just about anyone trying to impress their guests. 

To make this dish, it requires the following ingredients:

  • 24 oysters, live in shell
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 shallots, finely minced
  • 10 oz baby spinach
  • 12 oz heavy cream
  • ½ cup Romano cheese
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup panko bread crumbs

Opening the oysters might just be the hardest part of making this dish, but if you have the right tools, you’ll be able to open them in no time. With an oyster knife, insert the tip of the knife in the oyster that is placed flat in your hand. Slide the knife to the “hinge” at the back of the oyster and gently twist the edge of the knife to pry it open. Once you have successfully opened it, carefully cut the meat away from the shell by sliding the knife horizontally along the inside top of the shell. Once this is done, you can discard the top shell and then clean and dry the bottom shell. Though there are other methods such as using a paring knife or a screwdriver, this is most common and safest to use. 

Making the sauce is the next step and luckily requires little effort. First melt the butter and saute the shallots and spinach in it for about 5 minutes. Once they are cooked,  people often add Pernod or white wine to the pan to give the spinach more depth, but this step is not necessary. Then add the lemon juice, cream, Romano cheese and pepper to the mix and bring it to a boil until it starts to thicken. Set it aside to refrigerate so that the sauce can cool down and completely solidify. 

After this, you can start to assemble your dish. Place one spoon of the spinach sauce into the oyster and sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top. Then at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, place it in the oven for about 15 minutes at or until the top is golden brown. Once it’s done, you can place it on a bed of rock salt and garnish it with lemon slices. This delicious recipe will leave your guests speechless and craving for more! 

Fine Dining at Rikasa


Here at Rikasa, we pride ourselves in our authentic homemade recipes. Whether you choose to follow another recipe or come in to try our very own take on this classic dish, we promise you a memorable night with food you won’t forget! Make your reservation today. We look forward to serving you and your family.