Grilled Oysters With Compound Brown Butter Recipes

GRILLED OYSTERS WITH HOT-SAUCE BUTTER

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine butter, hot sauce, garlic, lemon zest and anchovy, and pulse until there are no streaks of hot sauce and the butter is a uniform shade of pale pink. (If you don't have a food processor, leave the butter out until it's very soft, then beat the ingredients together with a spoon.) Scrape the mixture into a small bowl, and set aside in the fridge.
• Put the oysters in a large bowl in the sink, and scrub off any sand or grit. Rinse well, drain and refrigerate until you're ready to shuck. To shuck: Grip an oyster with a folded dishtowel so the shell is cupped side down, hinge side facing toward you. Push the tip of the oyster knife into the hinge, and twist so it cracks open. Make sure the knife is clean of shell and grit, then use it to release the top shell, and slide it under the oyster meat to release it from the bottom shell. Repeat with remaining oysters, discarding any that are already open or that have a bad smell.
• Build a fire in your charcoal grill, or set a gas grill to high. Gently crumple a sheet of aluminum foil so its grooves can support the open oysters and keep them from spilling, and set it on the grate. Place 12 oysters on the foil, and top each with approximately ½ teaspoon of butter; use more for especially large oysters, but less for small ones. The idea is to cover the oyster with butter, but not to overfill the shell. Cover the grill, and cook until the butter and oyster juices are bubbling but the oyster is still plump, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Use tongs to transfer hot oysters to a platter lined with another piece of foil that will keep the shells upright, and serve immediately with a bottle of hot sauce and lemon wedges at the table. Repeat with remaining oysters.

GRILLED OYSTERS WITH LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat grill or Great Grate over medium heat.
• Scrub and rinse the oysters. Keep refrigerated until ready to grill.
• To make the sauce: Pour the cream into a 1-quart saucepan and cook over low heat, whisking occasionally to prevent the cream from boiling over, until the volume is reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the butter, 1 piece at a time, whisking constantly, until the sauce is shiny, emulsified, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add the lemon juice and simmer briefly. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the chervil or parsley and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Keep the sauce warm until ready to serve.
• Set up the oysters on the grill with the cup side down (and flat side up) or place them directly on the grill in the same fashion. Cook the oysters without turning them.
• As soon as the oysters pop open, after 8 to 10 minutes, transfer them carefully with tongs to a platter (or plates) lined with a bed rock salt. If you are using a Great Grate, this won't be necessary. Use the tongs to pry off the top shells. Spoon 1 teaspoon sauce over each oyster and serve immediately.

GRILLED OYSTERS WITH COMPOUND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; simmer, swirling occasionally, until it turns a nutty, golden brown and dark-brown bits form on bottom of pan, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat; add onion and zest. Let cool slightly; stir in parsley, chives, and lemon juice. Keep warm until ready to serve, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days. Remelt over low heat or on grill before serving.
• Preheat grill for direct-heat cooking. Place oysters on grate in a single layer, curved-sides down. Cook, uncovered, just until shells open slightly, 5 to 7 minutes. (Or place on a rimmed baking sheet and put under the broiler until they pop open, 3 to 5 minutes.) Carefully transfer to a platter with tongs (don't let oyster liquor spill). When cool enough to handle, remove top shells. Spoon 1 teaspoon butter mixture into each; serve.

GRILLED OYSTERS WITH LEMON GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• In a bowl combine all ingredients except the oysters and mix thoroughly to combine. Transfer butter mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and roll up to form a tight log and freeze until firm.
• Preheat a grill to high.
• Place the washed oyster shells on a baking sheet and top each shell with 1 oyster. Remove the butter from the freezer and unwrap. Slice the butter into 24 rounds and place 1 round on top of each oyster. Place the oysters on the preheated grill and cook until the oysters are just cooked through, curled around the edges and the butter is melted and bubbly, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Serve immediately.