Weeeeellll, I was going to add a picture of the completed dish, but we got too excited when the dinner party started and the oysters came out of the oven. I assure you, they were delicious! Next time I find oysters on Manager's Special at the Swartz Creek Kroger, I will definitely make it again.
Recipe (adapted from terikitchen.com)
BAKED OYSTERS WITH BREADCRUMBS AND GARLIC
SERVES 4-6 AS AN APPETIZER OR SIDE DISH, 2-3 AS A MAIN DISH
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs, from a rustic white or whole wheat bread
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1-2 dozen fresh oysters
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter, cut in tiny pieces
Preheat oven to 350° F. Generously butter, or spray with cooking oil, an ovenproof baking dish large enough to hold oysters in one layer. Carefully shuck the oysters and loosen the meat, but keep them on the half shell.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 6 to 8-inch skillet. When foam subsides, add breadcrumbs and garlic; toss in butter until crisp and golden. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. (Can be prepared ahead.) Spread 2/3 cups of breadcrumb mixture in bottom of baking dish and top with oysters. Mix remaining breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and spread over oysters; top with butter pieces. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crumbs are golden and juices are bubbling. Serve immediately.
May be served with cocktail sauce on the side. Also, some recipes do not call for the oysters on the half-shell, but simply spread the oysters in the pan on their own.
