Oyster Stew Over Spinach Potato Cakes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup minced shallots
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 cups fresh spinach (packed) cleaned, stemmed, and chopped
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups fine dry bread crumbs
• 1 cup flour
• Essence (recipe follows)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 dozen large shucked oysters, with their liquor
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire
• Dash of Crystal Hot Sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 4 teaspoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, cleaned and fried

Directions

In a saute pan, over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the shallots and garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Add the spinach. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until wilted about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely.

In a mixing bowl, combine the potatoes, 1 egg and the spinach mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. Stir in 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs. Divide the mixture in fourths and form into round cakes, about 1-inch thick. Season the flour with Essence. Whisk the remaining egg and milk, together. Season the remaining 1 cup bread crumbs with Essence.

Dredge the cakes in the flour. Dip each cake in the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Dredge the cakes in the bread crumbs, coating completely. In another saute pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the cakes and pan-fry until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Season with Essence. Set aside and keep warm. Drain the oysters, reserving the liquor. Set aside. In another saute pan, melt the butter. Add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to saute for 1 minute. Add the reserved oyster liquor, cream, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with the hot sauce, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to boil and then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the cream thickens, about 4 minutes. Season the oysters with salt and pepper. Stir in the oysters and cook for about 2 minutes or until the edges curl. Add the parsley and remove from the heat.

To serve, place a cake in the center of each shallow bowl. Spoon the oysters and sauce around each cake. Garnish with the cheese and fried spinach.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Yield: 2/3 cup