Grand Central Oyster Bar Offers Thanksgiving Oyster Stuffing

Bivalve lovers and those looking for a tasty alternative to the ordinary bread crumb stuffing in your holiday bird, the Grand Central Oyster Bar executive chef Sandy Ingber (a.k.a. The Bishop of Bivalves) offers the opportunity to purchase the classic “Oyster Thanksgiving Stuffing from the OB” for pickup on Tuesday, November 21. Each one-pound portion is priced at $18. Orders may be placed by emailing info@oysterbarny.com, by calling 212-490-6650, or in-person at the Oyster Bar, located “below sea level” in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal (www.oysterbarny.com). Pick up from 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM on the 21st. Please order no later than Monday, November 20.

Here's chef Sandy's recipe for home chefs:
Ingredients:

• 1# loaf of white bread, cut into ½" cubes
• 2 cups medium diced Spanish onions
• 1 cup med diced celery
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¾ cup chicken stock
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 24 pieces of shucked Bluepoint oysters

Directions:

1. Dry cut bread cubes overnight or toast in a low temp oven until crisp. Melt ½ the butter in a medium skillet. Add onions and celery, cooking until onions are translucent about 5 minutes. Add garlic, sage, thyme and nutmeg; cook for 30 seconds more.
2. Combine cooked vegetables with bread cubes, parsley, stock, milk and eggs, mixing gently. Fold in Oysters. Season with salt and pepper. This stuffing can be made up to 2 days in advance. If not stuffing into poultry for roasting, transfer mixture to a large oiled baking dish, dot surface with pats of remaining butter. Take a piece of wax paper and lightly oil both sides and place of top of stuffing. Bake in a 350 degree oven until crisp on top and stuffing temperature reaches 160 degrees.