Cook With Brooke – Oysters Rockefeller Bread Pudding

If I ever deviate from our Thanksgiving menu that I make every year, I would be shunned by Sean and the kids. While sometimes changing up how I cook the turkey, whether it’s roasted, fried or smoked is acceptable, it’s the sides that must stay the same. Having said this, I cannot delete a side, but I am “allowed” to add. Praise be.

I actually started thinking about adding a seafood dish or two to our Thanksgiving menu back in August while on our annual summer vacation up in Maine. I was reading an article about oysters and then my mind started spinning around ideas of different recipes using oysters. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, and I landed on this thought; Oysters Rockefeller Bread Pudding.

Now, I know oysters aren’t for everyone. Sean and I happen to love them. Raw, Rockefeller-ed, grilled, baked, roasted, we dig ’em. I started researching oyster stuffings and dressings – would be a nice addition as a side for Thanksgiving. But I wanted to incorporate a custard-y type texture. This is how I landed on the Oysters Rockefeller Bread Pudding.

All bread puddings start with a custard made from eggs and heavy cream. I wanted that richness to surround the creaminess of the oysters. My devout love of New Orleans got me wanting to incorporate some of those flavors the food city is known for. Oysters Rockefeller came to mind, and adding spinach was a great idea regardless, so that’s what I did. And, bottom line, would make for a fantastic side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.

I spent many a sleepless night, working out this recipe (at least I’m productive when I can’t sleep), felt pretty thorough about my ingredient line-up, and was ready to start testing. Normally on my Cook With Brooke episodes, I’ve tested and re-tested recipes before I share them with all of y’all. This time, however, I thought I would bring you along while I made this recipe for the first time. Because honestly, if it was a fail, I simply wouldn’t publish.

Well, I’m here to tell you that this recipe is a rockstar recipe, and would make for a tasty entrée, or even better, as a side to your Thanksgiving menu!

Let’s watch Cook With Brooke!!