Oyster Patties

My Mom made these every year for our New Year's Open House.  Sometimes we had them for other occasions also.  They are the perfect hors-d'oeuvres.  Pop open a nice bottle of wine or champagne and ENJOY!

Ingredients:

• 1 pt. oysters, drained and puréed (save the liquid)
• ¼ C. oyster liquor
• ½ t. salt
• ½ t. cayenne pepper
• ½ C. (1 stick) butter
• 1 bunch of green onions, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ C. flour
• 1 can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup
• 1 /3 C. bread crumbs
• 48 small patty shells

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sauté the onions in the butter, over medium heat, until soft, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the flour and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
5. Add the oysters, oyster liquor, salt, and cayenne, cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add the soup and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Remove from heat, stir in the bread crumbs and allow to cool.
8. Place the patty shells on a cookie sheet.
9. Using a teaspoon, fill the patty shells with the oyster mixture.
10. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks:

• Oyster liquor is the liquid that is inside of the shell with the oysters.  It is salty and an important ingredient in this recipe.
• I order my patty shells from Haydel’s Bakery.  They are flaky and delicious.
• You can substitute 1 lb. of diced fresh shrimp in the place of the oysters to make Shrimp Patties.  You might not need the bread crumbs if you use the shrimp.