Best 4 Oysters N Bacon Recipes

ANGELS ON HORSEBACK (BACON-WRAPPED OYSTERS)

Steps:

• Slice the bacon strips in half. It is very important to get thin-cut bacon for this recipe, as thick bacon overwhelms the oysters. Likewise, it is important to get small oysters-otherwise, they become too large a mouthful.
• Wrap a half-slice of bacon around each oyster and secure with a toothpick. Arrange on a broiling pan or get a grill ready.
• Place the bacon-wrapped oysters under the broiler until they're crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• How long this will take on your grill depends on the heat; but I rarely do this on the grill, as the bacon fat falls through the grate and causes flare-ups. Then again, you do get a smoky flavor with real fire...
• Take the oysters out and turn them over. Return to the broiler and crisp the other side. This should take about 2 to 4 minutes.
• Serve family-style on a big platter. Don't hit them with lemon juice until right before you serve them, otherwise it ruins the crispiness of the bacon.
• Traditionally, this appetizer is served on buttered toast points, so if you're a stickler for tradition, that's the way to go.

ROASTED OYSTERS WITH WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat a wood-fired or regular oven to 400 degrees F. Fill a 14-inch cast-iron pan with the rock salt.
• Shuck the oysters, keeping them in their bottom shells, then lay them on the rock salt, using care to save as much of the oyster liquor as possible. Place the entire pan in the oven and cook until the oysters are just set, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the bacon to a medium cast-iron pan, then set over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until the fat has rendered out and the bacon begins to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onions to the pan and turn the heat down to medium-low. Sweat the onions until they have begun to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the mustard, then slowly add the vinegar, stirring. (You will want to stir and swirl the pan as you add the liquid, to help emulsify the mustard and vinegar into the bacon fat.) Add the watercress and stir the mixture to combine and wilt the cress.
• Remove the oysters from the oven. Evenly divide and top each oyster with the bacon vinaigrette.

ROASTED OYSTERS WITH COUNTRY BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a towel, grasp and oyster in the palm of your hand. Press the oyster, rounded-side down, on a firm surface, still holding it with the towel. Shuck the oyster by wedging the tip of an oyster knife (regular knives are too thin-bladed) between the halves of the shell, at the shell's narrowest end. When the knife tip is securely wedged, rotate the blade to pry open the shell. Slide the knife blade along the length of the shell to open completely. Remove the oyster from the shell and reserve, along with its juice. From each pair of oyster shells, save the one that is most concave on the inside, and discard the one that is flatter. Place the concave shells in a pan of cold water and scrub inside and out. Place the clean oyster shells on a cookie sheet and set aside.
• Dip the tomatoes briefly in boiling water to loosen the skins, then in ice water. Peel, cut in half, remove and discard the seeds, and dice.
• Have the remaining ingredients measured and ready beside the stove. When you are ready to begin cooking the oysters, place the cookie sheet containing the oyster shells in the oven. On the top of the stove, melt the butter in a hot saute pan until it begins to foam. Add the shallots, the oysters and their juice and the white wine. Cook the oysters 30 seconds, then add the heavy cream. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce to a simmer just 1 minute more, or until the oysters' edges begin to curl. Add the tomato, tarragon and bacon. Heat another 30 seconds, then remove promptly from the heat.
• Remove the oyster shells from the oven and arrange 6 on each plate. Spoon 1 oyster into each shell and spoon a little of the sauce over each.
• A nice variation of this recipe is to place a "nest" of steamed spinach in each oyster shell before adding the oysters and sauce. Serve with Melba Toast, brioche toast points or toast points of country bread.

OYSTER-AND-BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees with a rack in upper third. Brush a shallow 2-quart baking dish with butter.
• Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium until crisp and fat is rendered, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, leaving fat in skillet. Add onion and celery to skillet; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and golden in places, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in sage and cayenne; cook 30 seconds. Add wine and boil until mostly evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cream and reserved oyster liquor; simmer until reduced and thickened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in oysters; season with salt.
• In a large bowl, toss crackers with melted butter to evenly coat. Sprinkle one-third of cracker mixture evenly in bottom of prepared baking dish. Spoon half of oyster mixture evenly over crackers. Repeat layering with another one-third of cracker mixture and remaining half of oyster mixture. Toss remaining one-third of cracker mixture with parsley; sprinkle evenly over top.
• Bake until golden brown on top and heated through, 20 to 25 minutes (if top is browning too quickly, tent with foil). Sprinkle with bacon and serve immediately.