Why, you might ask, would I post what I consider my family’s grossest recipe?
Well, because Sunday is my grandfather‘s funeral. And while we have a whole lot of family recipes on my mom’s side, this is the only one we have on my dad’s side that I can recall. I couldn’t bring myself to post anything BUT this recipe.
Every year, most of the time on Thanksgiving but occasionally on Christmas, my dad’s side of the family gathers at my uncle’s house to celebrate “Thanksmas.” Yes, friends, two holidays rolled into one. We exchange presents, sing carols, and eat. A lot.
Being the eccentric family that we are, we can’t have any normal stuffing. Not even that (BLEGH) Southern delicacy, cornbread dressing. We have oyster dressing.
This is the Christmas Carp, our annual centerpiece. Someone’s gag gift from the Thanksmas exchange.
I think I used to at least have a bite or two of oyster dressing, but then I developed a severe intolerance for clams when I was in college. And I am too afraid to touch oysters or mussels or anything clam-like for fear of spewing out my guts.
Anyway, with that lovely thought, here is the (oh my word I never knew it had so much butter) recipe from my sweet Grandma, Libby the first. (Yes, with a Y. And my Libbie is with an IE. Don’t ask. In fact, forget I brought it up.)
Grandma’s Oyster Dressing
Four cans frozen or canned oysters
Four ribs finely chopped celery
Four cans mushrooms
One box saltines crushed
one pound butter pats
About two cups of milk
First spray a large pyrex dish, and then add a layer of crushed crackers. Begin layering the ingredients. After each cracker layer add some milk and the juice from the mushrooms and oyster cans. Bake at 350 for at least an hour until the texture is puffy like a souffle. It is okay to prepare it in advance and let the liquids sink in.
You should have about four layers of crackers and three of “goodies.”
I am out-of-town for the funeral, so I probably won’t be able to get your links up here until Monday or so. But please leave them in the comments, and I promise I will. Can’t wait to get back and see those delicious recipes! I’d appreciate it if you’d link back to Family Recipe Fridays so others can see the whole recipe collection as well!
Oreo Truffles (The MawMaw)
Banana Muffins (Cook with Sara)
Banana Bread (Lattes and Life)
As you know, Jessie, these are fabulicious!
http://themawmaw.blogspot.com/2009/06/oreo-truffles.html
Banana Muffins:
http://cookwithsara.blogspot.com/2009/06/banana-muffins.html
Banana Bread:
http://www.lattesandlife.com/2009/06/my-tnt-banana-bread.html
That recipe sounds, um, interesting. It's something I would try, but not something I would make myself. Glad you shared!
That sounds terrible!
But actually, I think my grandma's made it a few times. I just chalk it up to grandma's cooking – she's NOT a good cook at all!
My mom always makes cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving…and always gets upset when it's dry. Poor Mom…
I pray you have a good weekend with family, despite the occasion.
If you are an oyster eater, you will absolutely love this recipe. It has ordinary ingredients that turn into something sublime while in the oven. Do try it!
You are such a nut nut! While I like oysters with hot sauce and crackers, this is even to much for me.
I've never been a fan of oyster stuffing either. I've never understood why people have to RUIN my stuffing! Sorry to hear about your grandfather.
Unbelievable. I didn't know anyone, and I mean ANYONE had oyster dressing than my family. Your recipe is very familiar and it has been a mainstay on my father's side of the family as long as I've walked this earth, and longer! Dear me, this is some connection we have. Scarier than the recipe, I actually like it. I'd be sad if my mom didn't make it during our "Thankmas" celebration.