Smoked Oysters On The Half Shell Food

NEW ORLEANS' DRAGO'S GRILLED OYSTERS RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat a gas or charcoal grill to high heat. Ideally, the grill should hit 500 F. In a small saucepan, gently melt the butter. Mix the melted butter with the garlic, pepper, and oregano. Reserve in a small bowl.
• Place the oysters on the half shell right over the hottest part of the grill. The oyster shouldn't be cut loose from the shell as they can slip and fall right through the grill.
• Spoon enough of the seasoned butter over the oysters so that some of it will overflow into the fire and flame up a bit. The oysters are ready when they puff up and get curly on the sides, about 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Top the oysters with the cheese mix and parsley. Serve on the shells immediately.

GRILLED OYSTERS THREE WAYS

Steps:

• For the mignonette: Stir together the red wine vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, shallots and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• For the bourbon BBQ sauce: Stir together the barbecue sauce and bourbon in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the scampi butter: Mash to combine the butter, white wine, lemon juice, garlic, shallot, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Side aside.
• For the oysters: Prepare an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Add the coarse sea salt in mounds to a large 9-by-13-inch aluminum roasting pan.
• Cooking in batches if necessary, put the oysters with their cupped side down in the roasting pan, nestling them in the salt so the flat side is facing up and they do not tip. Put the roasting pan on the hottest part of the grill and close the lid. Cook until the shells open slightly (wide enough to slide a knife in), 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the oysters.
• Carefully remove the roasting pan from the grill. Insert the tip of an oyster knife or small sharp paring knife in the shell opening and run the knife along the inside of the top shell to release the oyster; remove the top shell. Run the knife under the oyster meat in the bottom shell to release the oyster, keeping the oyster and juices in the shell. Repeat with the remaining oysters, placing 12 of them on a platter and the remainder back in the pan. Serve the oysters on the platter immediately with the mignonette, or refrigerate until ready to serve. (See Cook's Note.)
• Spoon the bourbon BBQ sauce over 12 of the remaining oysters in the roasting pan (about 1 teaspoon each). Top each with some of the bacon and chives.
• Put a dollop of the scampi butter over the 12 remaining oysters in the roasting pan (about 1 teaspoon each).
• Return the roasting pan to the grill, close the lid and cook until the oyster fillings are just starting to bubble, about 5 minutes. Remove from the grill and transfer to a serving platter.
• Sprinkle the scampi butter oysters with the remaining 1 tablespoon chopped parsley and serve immediately.

RAW OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Scrub the oysters under cold water with a stiff brush to remove the dirt, especially in the hinge area where mud has a tendency to get trapped. Next, find a durable thick cloth and fold it over several times to create a square; this will steady the oysters as you shuck them and also protect your hand. Using the towel as a mitt, place the oyster, cup-side down in the palm of your towel-covered hand with the hinge facing you; have a small bowl handy to catch the delicious juice. Insert the tip of an oyster knife or dull butter knife as far into the hinge as it will go; don't jab it in there or you could break the shell. With gentle force, twist the knife back and forth to pry the shell open. Using the knife, cut the muscle away from the top shell, bend the shell back, and discard it. Run the knife underneath the oyster to detach it completely, but leave it in its shell. Tip out the briny liquor into the bowl and pour it back over the shucked oysters. Nestle the oysters in a bed of crushed ice or rock salt to keep them steady. Spoon the Cucumber Mignonette on top and serve as part of a raw shellfish bar.
• In a small bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, shallots, ginger, cucumber, black pepper, and cilantro; mixing with a fork. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to the day before you plan to serve, to allow the flavors to come together. Serve with raw oysters and clams.

STOVE TOP SMOKER OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Put the wood chips in the bottom of the smoker.
• Replace the bottom tray, and set in the rack.
• Lay the oysters in the half shell on the smoking rack.
• Start the oysters over medium heat and lower the heat slightly once the smoker lid is closed.
• Smoke until the oysters are very lightly colored and firm, but still plump and moist, 9 minutes over the heat after closing the smoker lid and about 6 minutes off the heat with the smoker lid closed.
• Check the oysters for doneness after they have been off the heat 5 minutes.
• Serve right from the smoker or drizzle them with melted butter and pass lemon wedges, a pepper mill, and a bottle of hot red pepper sauce.
• Or prepare your favorite stuffed oyster recipe, fold into a spinach omelet, or try them in Oysters Vanderbilt (see related separate recipe).