Oysters baked in herbs and butter
Simple, crunchy, creamy and just shucking good. These zingy, baked oysters are perfect for summertime drinks or as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- 4 cups rock salt or uncooked rice (for lining the pan)
- 2 dozen fresh oysters
- 225 grams butter (softened, divided into 2)
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons finely chopped chives
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Sweet paprika (optional)
- Finely chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Method
- Gather the ingredients.
- Position a rack in the centre of the oven and heat to 220℃. Add a layer of rock salt to a rimmed baking sheet or substitute dry, uncooked rice. This will keep the oyster shells from wobbling.
- Scrub the oyster shells with a stiff brush.
- Carefully shuck the oysters over a bowl to catch any liquids that might spill out. Run the knife along the bottom of the inside of the shell to loosen the oyster. If some of the oyster liquor does spill out, return it to the bottom shell. Discard the top shells and arrange the oysters in the bottom shell with their liquid in the prepared baking pan.
- In a frying pan over medium heat, melt 1/2 the butter. Add the panko crumbs and cook, stirring, until the crumbs are lightly browned. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the remaining softened butter with the chives, lemon zest, and the lemon juice.
- Top each oyster with a small teaspoon of the butter-chive mixture and then sprinkle each with the buttered panko crumbs.
- If desired, finish with a light sprinkling of paprika.
- Bake the oysters until the oysters are cooked through and the topping is golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
More baked oysters
Garlic and Herb Baked Oysters
Add a small, finely minced clove of garlic to the butter in the skillet. Cook in the butter for 1 minute before adding the panko crumbs and then continue with the recipe.
Grilled Herb and Butter Oysters
Preheat the grill to high heat. Prepare the oysters following the recipe above. Place the pan on the grill grate, close the lid, and grill for about 6 to 8 minutes.
The oyster of choice
Thanks to our careful husbandry and intelligent market selection, our plump Pacific oysters have become the oyster of choice in the Auckland restaurant scene and are exported in large numbers to Pacific Rim countries.
Feel free to contact us directly should you want more information. As a family business, we are very proud of what we produce and sell – and we only sell the best.