New Orleans Oyster Dressing

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
3 cups cubed day-old bread
1 1/2 cups oysters with their liquor
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously oil a medium baking dish.

In a large skillet heat oil until it begins to smoke. Add onion, green pepper and celery and saute, stirring frequently, 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Lower heat and fold in bread cubes, oysters and their liquor, and broth until moistened. Add green onions, parsley, Creole seasoning, and hot pepper sauce; season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour dressing into baking dish, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 minutes until golden.

Yield: 4 servings