Serves 4

  • 16 oysters on the half shell
  • 1 c. medium diced tasso ham
  • ½ c. finely diced yellow onion
  • ½ c. finely diced green onion
  • ½ c. finely diced green pepper
  • 1½ sticks unsalted butter
  • ¼ c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 c. Half and Half
  • 1 c. fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Salt to taste

Preheat oven to 400° F. Shuck oysters, leaving on the half shell, and place on baking sheet. Melt butter in thick-walled sauce pan. Brush oysters with melted butter and set aside. Use melted butter in sauce pan to heat and saute yellow onions and green peppers until onions are clear. Add tasso ham and green onions; continue to saute for a few minutes. Add flour and cook an additional 5 minutes. Heat Half and Half in microwave for 30 seconds and gradually stir into flour mixture. Salt to taste. When mixture is thickened, remove from heat. Place oysters in oven and bake until oysters begin to plump. Remove and set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Turn oven to broil. Top with tasso ham sauce and shredded cheese. Place under broiler until cheese melts. Serve.