Oysters Bienville

Ingredients

• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped)
• Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup)
• Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, grated)
• Shrimp (1/2 cup, peeled, deveined and chopped)
• Milk (1 cup)
• All-purpose flour (2 tablespoons)
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
• Green bell pepper (1/2, finely diced)
• Onion (1 medium, finely diced)
• Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons)
• Oysters (12, on the half shell)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic, then cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the flour to make a roux, cooking for 1 minute until it's well combined with the butter and vegetables.
4. Slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the chopped shrimp to the sauce. Cook until the shrimp are pink and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are incorporated.
7. Arrange the oysters on a baking sheet. Spoon the shrimp and cheese sauce over each oyster, ensuring an even distribution.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the topping is golden and bubbly. The oysters should be just cooked, not overdone.
9. Allow the oysters to rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this classic New Orleans delicacy!