Oysters Bienville

Oysters Bienville

Oysters Bienville is a classic New Orleans dish named after Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the founder of New Orleans. This dish is a rich and creamy blend of fresh oysters, shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, and a variety of herbs and spices, all topped with a generous helping of Parmesan cheese and then baked to perfection.

History

Oysters Bienville was first created in the 1930s at the famous Arnaud's Restaurant in New Orleans. The dish was named after Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the French colonial governor who founded New Orleans in 1718.

Ingredients

The main ingredient in Oysters Bienville is, of course, oysters. Fresh, plump oysters are preferred for this dish. Other key ingredients include shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, Parmesan cheese, and a variety of herbs and spices.

Preparation

The preparation of Oysters Bienville involves several steps. First, the oysters are shucked and the top shell is removed. The oysters are then placed on a baking sheet. Next, a rich and creamy sauce is prepared using the shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, and herbs and spices. This sauce is spooned over the oysters, and then the entire dish is topped with Parmesan cheese. The oysters are then baked until they are golden brown and bubbly.

Serving

Oysters Bienville is typically served as an appetizer. It is often accompanied by a crisp, white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay. The dish is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, while the cheese is still hot and bubbly.

Variations

While the traditional Oysters Bienville recipe calls for shrimp, mushrooms, and green onions, there are many variations of this dish. Some recipes may include other types of seafood, such as crab or crawfish. Others may add different types of cheese, such as Gruyere or Swiss cheese.

See Also

• Oysters Rockefeller
• Oysters on the Half Shell
• New Orleans Cuisine

References

• Arnaud's Restaurant. (n.d.). History of Arnaud's. Retrieved from https://www.arnaudsrestaurant.com/history/
• New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. (n.d.). New Orleans Cuisine. Retrieved from https://www.neworleans.com/restaurants/traditional-new-orleans-foods/