Baked Oysters With Bread Crumbs And Garlic Ostriche All Italia Recipes

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 OYSTERS ITALIAN-STYLE WITH CIABATTA CROUTON

Steps:

• For the croutons: In a small saucepan, over low heat, gently cook garlic in oil and wine until tender and golden. Remove garlic cloves and place in a food processor. To the juices in the pan, add enough olive oil to give you 1/4 cup of liquid. Add white beans, sherry vinegar, and lemon juice to the food processor and puree. With the motor running, add in garlic/olive oil mixture. Remove from processor and stir in crispy pancetta, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Spread mixture on bread slices and broil or toast in a hot oven until heated and slightly bubbly.
• For the oysters: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put oysters into a bowl and check for bits of shell. Butter the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch pie pan and place oysters in pan. Mix the bread crumbs with all remaining ingredients and distribute evenly over the oysters, patting a little. Place pan in the hot oven and bake for about six to eight minutes or until crumbs are brown and bubbling. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
• To serve: Mound a serving of oysters attractively on each plate and flank with two croutons.

"FRANK'S BAKED OYSTERS" WITH MUSHROOMS, GARLIC BREAD CRUMBS, AND ROMANO CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Saute the mushrooms: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and the black pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mushrooms become soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Refrigerate the mushrooms until thoroughly chilled. Coarsely chop the mushrooms and set aside. Dry roast the anise seeds: Cook the anise seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat just until they start to turn color and release their aroma, 2 to 3 minutes. Crush the anise seeds with a rolling pin and set aside. In a mixing bowl, add the bread crumbs, cheese, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic, chopped mushrooms, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, anise, and the remaining 3/4 cup olive oil. Blend well using your hands. Top each oyster on the half shell with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the bread crumb mixture. Bake oysters until piping hot, 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

BAKED PARMESAN OYSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven 375°F Oil a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine olive oil and garlic.
• In another bowl, combine crackers and Parmesan cheese.
• Dip oysters into oil mixture then coat with crumb mixture until evenly coated.
• Arrange in baking dish. Sprinkle with sherry and any remaining cracker mixture.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes to brown.