Baked Oysters Italian Style With Ciabatta Crouton Food

ITALIAN BAKED OYSTERS

Steps:

• PREHEAT THE OVEN to 450°F.
• DIVIDE THE OYSTERS among individual gratin dishes.
• Combine the olive oil and butter in a small pan and gently heat just until the butter has melted.
• In a separate bowl, combine the bread crumbs, green onion, parsley, tarragon, garlic, and cayenne with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the olive oil/butter mixture over the crumbs and stir to mix well.
• SPRINKLE THE TOPPING over the oysters and set the dishes on a baking sheet for easy handling.
• Bake the oysters until the crumbs are lightly browned and the oysters are plump, 12 to 15 minutes.

CIABATTA

Steps:

• The night before, make the biga (see tip, below). Stir yeast with 50ml warm water, stand for 10 mins, then add another 80ml warm water. Gradually add the flour in a stand mixer on its lowest setting. Once it's a wet dough, transfer to a well-oiled bowl, cover and leave for 12 hours or overnight at room temperature.
• In the morning, combine the yeast and milk and leave to stand for 10 mins. Tip into a freestanding mixer fitted with a dough hook, add 160ml water, the biga and the olive oil. Then add the flour and 1 heaped tsp salt. Use the dough hook of a stand mixer to combine the dough. Knead for 10 mins until smooth and elastic. Don't worry if it looks very wet, it should to be a very wet dough! Pour into a well-oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Leave to prove for an hour and a half or until doubled in size.
• Once rested, begin to do a series of folds - lift the dough from the edge, pull up, over, then release it. Turn the bowl 90 degrees and do the same again. Repeat so you do a full turn of the bowl twice, or 8 folds. Rest for 30 mins, then repeat the whole folding process once more.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas mark 6. Tip the dough onto a really well-floured surface and cut in half. The dough will feel like a batter and spread across the surface a bit, but don't panic, just work on a well-floured surface, using the flour and a pastry scraper to help move the dough. Shape the dough into 2 large squares (about 20cm x 20cm). Dealing with each loaf at a time, fold the dough in from each side, as if folding a booklet. Flip over, then pick up the roll and place each onto separate well-floured sheets of baking paper. The roll will be very soft, so oil or flour your hands well. Allow to rest for another 30 mins, covered with a floured tea towel. Don't worry if it spreads a little.
• While the dough rests, heat a baking sheet in the oven. Once the dough has rested, slide each of the loaves, along with the baking paper beneath them, onto the hot baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 mins, until the crust is golden and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the base. Move to a wire rack and cool for an hour before slicing and serving with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

BAKED OYSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread salt in a shallow baking dish. Nestle oysters in their bottom shells in the salt.
• In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, mustard, parsley, and butter; season with pepper. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon mixture on each oyster; top with bacon pieces.
• Bake until oysters curl and topping browns, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

BAKED OYSTERS WITH BREAD CRUMBS AND GARLIC (OSTRICHE ALL' ITALIA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450*. Choose an ovenproof platter or a shallow baking dish that is just large enough to hold the oysters in one layer (about 8 x 10"). Butter the dish generously.
• In a heavy 6-8" skillet, melt 2 Tblsp. of butter over moderate heat. When the foam subsides, add the fresh, white bread crumbs and the garlic, and toss them in the butter for 2-3 minutes, or until they are crisp and golden. Stir in the fresh parsley.
• Spread about 2/3 cup of the bread-crumb mixture in the bottom of the buttered baking dish, and arrange the oysters over it in one layer.
• Mix the rest of the bread-crumb mixture with the grated cheese and spread the combination on the oysters. Dot the top with the tiny bits of butter.
• Bake the oysters in the top third of the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden and the juices in the dish are bubbling. Serve at once, either as a main course or as part of the antipasto.

BAKED ITALIAN OYSTERS

Steps:

• In large heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
• Mix in olive oil and heat for 3 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients except oysters.
• Mix well and remove from heat.
• Add well drained oysters to saucepan and toss gently.
• Place in a 2 quart casserole dish.
• Bake at 425 for 20-30 minutes or until browned.