A traditional favorite at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, divided
• 1.5 cups crushed saltine cracker crumbs
• 1.5 lbs oysters, drained (reserve liquid)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 cup liquid from oysters
• 1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
• 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Directions:

Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Use part of this melted butter to brush on the bottom and sides of a 1.5 quart baking dish. Reserve the remaining melted butter. Cut the other 4 tablespoons of butter into small pieces.

Sprinkle one-third of the cracker crumbs on the bottom of the greased casserole dish. Cover with a layer of half of the oysters; top with half of the remaining cracker crumbs. Dot with half of the butter pieces and season lightly with salt, pepper and Tabasco. Top with the remaining oysters and cracker crumbs. Repeat butter, salt, pepper and Tabasco layer. Pour the oyster liquid and the cream over the top.

Sauté the bread crumbs in the reserved melted butter until golden brown, stirring to brown them evenly. Sprinkle over the oyster mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes.

Makes 8 servings