Skip to content

Robert St. John

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

Fried Oyster Salad

Ingredients

4 Cups Iceberg Lettuce, cut into 2” squares

2 Cups Green Leaf Lettuce, cut into 2” squares

1/3 cup Roasted Red Bell Pepper, small dice

1 cup Shaved Red Cabbage

1/2 cup Bacon, cooked and chopped

1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated into large shreds, divided

3/4 cup Red Onion, thinly shaved

4 Hard Boiled Eggs, chopped

Fried Oysters

32 Oysters, freshly shucked

2 cups Corn meal

1/4  cup Corn flour

2 tsp Salt

2 Tbl + 1 tsp Creole Seasoning (recipe page xx)

Peanut Oil for frying

Heat oil in cast iron skillet to 350 degrees.

Comeback Sauce

1 cup mayonnaise

1/ 2 cup ketchup

1/ 2 cup chili sauce

1/ 2 cup cottonseed oil

1/ 2 cup yellow onion, grated

3 Tbl lemon juice

2 Tbl garlic, minced

1 Tbl paprika

1 Tbl water

1 Tbl Worcestershire

1 tsp pepper

1/ 2 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt

Instructions

Fried Oysters

Heat oil in cast iron skillet to 350 degrees.

Combine cornmeal, corn flour, salt and Creole seasoning. Drop oysters into cornmeal  mixture and drop one at a time into hot oil. Fry until golden and crispy (approximately five minutes). Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Hold in a 200 degree oven for 3-5 minutes while completing the assembly of the salad.

Comeback Sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and mix well.

Recent Recipes

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

Chocolate Christmas Cheesecake

Chef Linda Roderick has been by my side through these cookbooks for over two decades, and there’s no one I’d rather have guiding me through a cheesecake recipe. She’s a master of the craft—steady, exacting, and always aiming for perfection. This rich, decadent chocolate cheesecake is no exception. It's all about balance. The deep, smooth chocolate filling meets a crisp, slightly salty crust for a perfect bite every time. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing—otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps. And when you melt the chocolate, give it time to cool slightly before mixing it into the batter, so you don’t end up with curdled filling. It’s worth the patience, every time. A few techniques can elevate this recipe to another level: chilling the dough overnight for a richer flavor, using a water bath to ensure an ultra-smooth texture, and letting the cheesecake rest for at least 24 hours before serving for the best flavor.

Read more