DEVILED CRAB WITH OYSTERS BAKED ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Pick over the crab meat, removing and discarding any shell or cartilage that may remain.
• Heat the butter in a large skillet and add the garlic, onion and diced peppers. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is wilted. Add the dry mustard, chopped green herbs and cayenne pepper. Stir to blend.
• Sprinkle with the flour and stir to blend. Add the cream gradually, stirring rapidly with a wire whisk. Cook until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Stir in the spicy brown mustard, and when blended, add the crab meat. Stir gently to blend.
• Add the lemon juice and egg yolks, salt and pepper to taste, and stir to blend.
• Scrape the mixture into a mixing bowl and let stand until thoroughly cool. The mixture may be refrigerated overnight if desired.
• Combine the oysters and oyster liquor in a saucepan and bring to the simmer. Simmer about 30 seconds or until the edges of the oysters start to curl. Line a dish with absorbent toweling. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the oysters from their cooking liquid and spoon them onto the paper. Discard the cooking liquid.
• Place the oysters in the refrigerator until thoroughly cool. They may be covered and refrigerated overnight.
• Rinse the oyster shells and pat them dry. Divide the crab-meat mixture into two portions. Fill the oyster shells with equal amounts of half of the crab mixture. Make a slight indentation in the center of each bit of filling. Place one oyster into each indentation.
• Top each oyster with equal portions of the remaining crab mixture and smooth over the top, rounding it as necessary. Pour the fresh bread crumbs into a dish. Press the crab-and-oyster-filled shells into the bread crumbs to coat the tops thoroughly. Arrange the shells on a baking sheet.
• When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake 15 minutes or more or until the filling is piping hot throughout and nicely browned on top. Serve with tartar sauce.