Oyster Dressing

Ingredients:
1 quart raw oysters, reserve liquid
1/2 pound lean ground beef
2 large stalks celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
5 small green onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried basil
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:
1. In a large skillet brown ground beef until fully cooked.

2. Add celery, onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until vegetables are tender.

3. Add oysters, parsley, thyme, basil, and salt and pepper. Add reserved oyster liquor; simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Take off heat; stir in bread crumbs. Place in a 13 X 9 X 2-inch baking pan prepared with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.

Makes 8 (1-cup) servings.

Per 1-cup serving: 158 calories, 46 calories from fat, 13 calories from saturated fat, 5g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 81mg cholesterol, 12g carbs, 2g fiber, 16g protein, 1,199mg sodium, 96mg calcium

-- Based on recipe from Marc Gilberti, executive chef, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans.