Southern Oysters ~ The Southern Scoop’s Recipe of the Month

Southern Oysters ~ The Southern Scoop’s Recipe of the Month

The Southern Scoop is back with another delicious coastal recipe! This time, we’re bringing you a tried and true classic we know you’ll love: Southern Oysters. Oysters pack a tremendous amount of flavor and can be prepared in a myriad of ways. Baked and steamed are traditional methods, but nothing tops grilled oysters. Cooking the oysters on the grill provides a delicious flavor you won’t get out of steaming and baking.

In addition, oysters are a social food; here on the Gulf Coast, you’re more likely to find shrimp boils and oysters at a barbecue than you are steaks and burgers. You can prepare your Southern Oysters any way you like, with hot sauce and crackers, but we like ours with just a little parmesan and garlic butter. Read on below for the scoop on Southern Oysters, and be sure to pick up your oysters from a local seafood market like  Sexton’s Seafood Market in Destin, Joe Patti’s in Pensacola, or Fresh Market Seafood in Gulf Shores.

What You’ll Need:

• 24 oysters (shucked on the half shell)
• 1 loaf Italian bread (sliced and charred on the grill)

Parmesan Topping:

• 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
• 2 lemons (zested and juiced – separate in different bowls)
• 1 bunch chopped Italian parsley

Garlic Butter:

• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup hot sauce
• 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic

Preparation

• To make the Parmesan topping, combine the Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley in a bowl. Mix and set aside for later.
• To make the garlic butter, set a small pot on the stove at medium heat. Combine butter, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chopped garlic, and granulated garlic along with 1/2 cup of water. Slowly melt and whisk ingredients until everything is combined. Lower heat to simmer and cover to keep warm.
• For the oysters: preheat a grill to 400 degrees F. Once the grill is hot, top each oyster with a generous amount of the Parmesan topping. Set the oysters on the grill and cover for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the oysters begin to color.
• Using tongs, remove the oysters from the grill and place onto a cookie sheet or heat-proof surface.
• Plate your oysters, using about six per platter. Generously ladle the melted garlic butter. Serve with grilled bread to soak up all the flavor!

Enjoy!