Grilled Oysters with Parsley and Garlic Butter

Not surprisingly, one traditional French topping for grilled oysters involves a creamy bechamel sauce with cheese. The dish--called Oysters a la Mornay--is delicious but a bit heavy. I prefer a lighter, though just as rich (and French), topping for my grilled oysters. Inspired by Escargots a la Bourguignonne, these oysters are drowned in the sinful, garlicky butter normally used for snails. Don't forget the bread!
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 4 appetizer servings
  • Total: 2 hr 55 min (includes chilling time)
  • Active: 45 min
Share This Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 

1 tablespoon white wine 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1 shallot, minced 

Salt and black pepper

2 dozen oysters 

Rock salt, for broiling 

Crusty bread, for serving 

Directions

Special equipment:
an oyster knife
  1. Mix together the butter, parsley, white wine, garlic, shallots, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap over a work surface and mound the butter mixture in the center. Fold the plastic over the butter and form into a log. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
  2. Set the oven broiler on medium-high heat.
  3. Rinse the oysters in cold water and discard any open ones.
  4. Shuck the oysters: Using a thick tea towel, hold an oyster firmly in one hand with the flat side facing up. With your other hand, insert an oyster knife into the oyster's hinge, easing it in where you can; make sure the hand holding the oyster is well protected by the towel. Once you feel the knife firmly anchored in the hinge, twist it to pop open the oyster. Clean your knife and then slide it along the top shell to release the muscle from the shell. Remove and discard the top shell. Run the knife under the oyster so the oyster is resting in the bottom shell but is no longer attached to it--this ensures the oyster will easily slide into your mouth when eaten. Discard any oysters that have an unpleasant odor.
  5. Cover an oven-safe serving dish with a layer of rock salt. Gently nestle the shells into the salt so they won't slide around while broiling. Top each oyster with a slice of the compound butter. Broil until the butter is melted, golden and bubbling at the edges, 5 to 7 minutes.
  6. Serve immediately with some crusty bread to soak up any leftover sauce.

Cook’s Note

If you have any leftover, the compound butter makes a great topping for beef or, of course, escargot!

Fudge Factor

Review: Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert's Chocolate Bar Nov 16, 2012

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert have teamed up with master chocolatier Christopher Curtin to create the "Good & Evil" chocolate b …

Sifted: Plan-Ahead Valentine's Day Desserts Feb 6, 2013

By: Lauren Miyashiro

Get our take on the best in food news, recipes and more from around the web, including the best Valentine's Day recipes.

Over-the-Top-Delicious Treats to Satisfy Your Food Obsession

Are you infatuated with ice cream? Do you lust over lobster? Swoon at the sight of chocolate? Here's the best recipe for each food …

Train Frontman Pat Monahan's Dark Chocolate Obsession Feb 11, 2013

By: Cameron Curtis

Train frontman Pat Monahan, an avid chocolate lover, shared with us his top five reasons for eating dark chocolate.

The Craziest Chocolate Creations for American Chocolate Week Mar 17, 2013

It’s officially American Chocolate Week. Check out photos of mind-blowing chocolate creations.

Chocolate Desserts

Indulge in our decadent chocolate desserts, from cookies and cakes to puddings, souffles and truffles.

Essentials: Chocolate Basics Sep 1, 2016

Satisfy that chocolate craving in your very own kitchen. All you need is baking chocolate and a little know-how. It also helps to …