Smoked Oysters And Bacon Food

ANGELS ON HORSEBACK (BACON-WRAPPED OYSTERS)

Steps:

• Slice the bacon strips in half. It is very important to get thin-cut bacon for this recipe, as thick bacon overwhelms the oysters. Likewise, it is important to get small oysters-otherwise, they become too large a mouthful.
• Wrap a half-slice of bacon around each oyster and secure with a toothpick. Arrange on a broiling pan or get a grill ready.
• Place the bacon-wrapped oysters under the broiler until they're crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• How long this will take on your grill depends on the heat; but I rarely do this on the grill, as the bacon fat falls through the grate and causes flare-ups. Then again, you do get a smoky flavor with real fire...
• Take the oysters out and turn them over. Return to the broiler and crisp the other side. This should take about 2 to 4 minutes.
• Serve family-style on a big platter. Don't hit them with lemon juice until right before you serve them, otherwise it ruins the crispiness of the bacon.
• Traditionally, this appetizer is served on buttered toast points, so if you're a stickler for tradition, that's the way to go.

OYSTERS 'N' BACON

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until shrunken, but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the sugar, soy sauce and garlic with a fork. Wrap each oyster with a piece of bacon, and secure with toothpicks. Place wrapped oysters into the dish with the sauce.
• Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until the sauce has thickened and bacon is nicely crisped at the edges.

PETITE SMOKED OYSTER STEW W/BACON, POTATOES AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Cut up unpeeled potatoes into bite-sized cubes and boil til tender in small saucepan. Once water starts to boil, will only take about 4 minutes.Check them with a knife for tenderness.
• *While potatoes are boiling, saute chopped onion in butter til tender.
• Drain saucepan of potato water keeping potatoes in there.
• Add half and half, milk, boullion, garlic powder, pepper, oysters and cooked onions with the butter and juices.
• Heat over LOW heat til heated through.
• Stirring gently ocaisionally.
• *I just use a fork to lift and drain the oysters out of the can, and what's ever on them oil-wise, is fine. Just adds flavor anyways! If your stew is too oily on top, just skim off with a spoon, or don't worry about it! The crackers will absorb that! ;).
• Garnish heavily, each bowl with bacon.
• Serve with oyster crackers or saltines.
• Some like a little hot sauce served with on the side, too.
• *If using bacon that you have on hand that has been precooked, just wrap in papertowel and microwave about 10 seconds. (Thaw cooked bacon first if using it from your freezer and it's not already thawed.).

SMOKED OYSTER AND BACON STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with racks in middle and lower thirds. On 2 rimmed baking sheets, arrange bread in a single layer. Toast until dry and pale golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium. Add onion, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion and celery are softened, about 7 minutes. Add oysters, bacon, thyme, and vinegar and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Transfer to a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Add parsley, eggs, and bread; stir to combine. Add broth in 2 additions, stirring until absorbed after each addition. Season generously with salt and pepper and transfer stuffing to dish. Bake on middle rack until deep golden brown on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

GARLICKY BACON SMOKED OYSTERS

Steps:

• Cut the bacon strips in thirds.
• Wrap a bacon slice around each oyster and place a toothpick through to hold it in place.
• In a medium skillet, heat the oil, and add the garlic.
• Cook the wrapped oysters in oil until the bacon is crisp.
• Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel.