Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Grilled Oysters Rockefeller

Ingredients

1 cup Unsalted Butter
2 Tbl Garlic, minced

1 tsp Dried Tarragon
1 ½  cups Panko Bread Crumbs
1/2 cup Shallot, small dice
8 cups Fresh Spinach, chopped
1 cup Pernod
1 tsp Kosher Salt

1/2 tsp Black Pepper, fresh ground

1/2 tsp Hot Sauce

1/3 cup Olive Oil

1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
3 Tbl Parsley, chopped

2 dozen Fresh Oysters

Instructions

Melt butter in a skillet. Sauté the garlic and dried tarragon for 2 minutes. Take half of the garlic butter and add it to the bread crumbs in a mixing bowl. Set aside to cool.

To the remaining garlic butter in the skillet, add the shallots and spinach, cook 3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Deglaze the pan with Pernod. Season with salt and pepper and hot sauce. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes.

To the bread crumbs, add the olive oil, parmesan and parsley, season with salt and pepper.

Using a kitchen towel, hold each oyster firmly. Insert an oyster knife in the small opening between the shells where the oyster is hinged. Gently pry open the oyster. Loosen the oyster from the shell by carefully running the knife below the oyster, trying to keep as much of the oyster liquor in place.

Top each oyster with 2 teaspoons of the spinach mixture. Sprinkle the spinach with the prepared bread crumbs.

Prepare the grill. Cook the oysters, shell side down over direct high heat for 5-6 minutes. Use tongs to remove the oysters from the grill and serve immediately.

Yield: 4-8 servings depending on how much you or your guests like oysters

Recent Recipes

Grilled Tripletail with Lump Crab and Chive Beurre Blanc

Tripletail has always been my favorite Gulf fish. The old-timers used to say, "If you can see a tripletail, you can catch a tripletail." They have this peculiar habit of floating near the surface around buoys, crab traps, and other floating objects, often lying on their sides and appearing almost lifeless. This behavior makes them easy to spot and, if you're quick with your cast, easy to hook. The meat is mild, white, and flaky—perfect for grilling. Pairing it with lump crab and a chive beurre blanc elevates this dish to something truly special.

Read more

Potato Gratin

Potatoes are the one vegetable I could never give up. Fried, roasted, mashed, or scalloped—doesn’t matter, they’re always on the table in one form or another. This gratin is my favorite way to make them feel a little more special. It’s rich, creamy, and just decadent enough to make it feel like you’re putting in some extra effort. There’s a good bit of cheese in this recipe, but that’s exactly how it should be. The combination of sharp white Cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan gives it the perfect balance of nuttiness, creaminess, and tang. And using Yukon gold potatoes instead of russets makes a big difference. They have just the right amount of starch to get creamy without getting mushy. This dish is a showstopper on the holiday table, but I’d eat it on a random Tuesday without hesitation.

Read more

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are like Christmas morning in a bite—bright, citrusy orange paired with tart, bursting cranberries. The combination feels like something you'd find in a festive basket dropped off by a thoughtful neighbor. Perfect for Christmas gift giving or to have on hand for guests throughout the holiday.

Read more