Oysters With Parmesan Polenta Crust Recipes

OYSTERS WITH PARMESAN-POLENTA CRUST

Steps:

• Place the eggs in a shallow bowl and whisk to blend. In a second shallow bowl, combine the polenta, cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Pour the oil into the saucepan or deep-fryer to a depth of at least 2 inches. If using a deep-fry thermometer to take the temperature of the oil, attach it to the side of the saucepan. Heat the oil over medium heat to 375°F, or until a wooden chopstick inserted into the oil begins to fizz with bubbles. Do not be tempted to use too high a heat to bring the oil to temperature, as it will be harder to control and keep stable once you arrive at your goal temperature.
• When the oil has come to temperature, coat the oysters: Dredge the oysters first in the eggs, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl, then in the polenta mixture, shaking off any excess. Arrange on a platter. (The oysters should be fried within just a few moments of coating them.)
• Fry the oysters in batches, about three at a time, until the breading is crisp, firm, and deep golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with the wire skimmer and transfer to the paper towels to drain. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and aïoli or lime mayonnaise.

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.

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.