Baked Oysters With Spinach

Prep Time: ten minutes

Cook Time: twenty minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1-1/2 pounds fresh spinach, rinsed well & left wet
1/4 cup butter
one large onion, finely chopped
Large pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
one cup heavy cream
one cup fine dried bread crumbs
one quart shucked fresh oysters
two Tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill or two teaspoons dried

Preparation:

Place the spinach in a immense saucepan, cover, & steam over moderate heat for about five minutes or until tender. Drain the spinach, refresh under chilled water, squeeze dry, & chop finely. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a immense skillet, heat half the butter, add the onion, & saute over moderate heat for five minutes, stirring often. Add the spinach, nutmeg, salt, pepper, & cream. Stir well & cook over moderate heat for about two minutes, stirring in a few bread crumbs if necessary to thicken the mixture. Add the oysters & dill & stir well. Spoon the mixture in to a well-buttered baking dish, sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, dot with the remaining butter, & bake for ten to 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Yield: 6 servings