The seafood lovers in your crowd will simply adore these bite-size broiled oysters on the appetizer table. For Christmas or New Years, broiled oysters are a terrific appetizer. Smooth, briny oysters are topped with a combination of sourdough crumbs, butter, pork, scallions, garlic, and beer for an explosion of flavor and texture that’s sure to leave everyone wanting more. Broiled until golden brown, they’re buttery, salty, savory, and incredibly delicious. Serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce to bring brightness and heat to this crowd-pleasing dish. These briny, broiled oysters are ready in just 30 minutes—which is ideal since you may need to make more than one tray of these finger foods.

Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS

4 to 5 thick slices day-old sourdough bread, crusts removed, bread torn into 1-in. pieces
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 oz. finely chopped pork tasso (about 1 cup)
1 bunch scallions, white parts finely chopped (about 1/4 cup) and green parts reserved
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic (3 medium garlic cloves)
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup lager beer (such as Miller Lite)
1 (4-lb.) pkg. rock salt
36 oysters on the half shell
Lemon wedges and hot sauce, for serving

STEPS

Prepare oven:

1) Preheat oven to broil with rack 6 inches from heat.

Make breadcrumbs:

1) Place bread pieces in a food processor, and pulse until biggest pieces are pea-size, 10 to 15 pulses. (You will need 3 cups of breadcrumbs.) Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add breadcrumbs, pork tasso, white parts of scallions, garlic, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until breadcrumbs begin to toast and tasso begins to brown, about 7 minutes. Add beer. Cook, stirring constantly, until beer has been absorbed by bread and mixture is moist but not wet, about 15 more seconds.

Prepare rock salt:

1) Spread rock salt evenly on 2 rimmed baking sheets.

Assemble oysters:

1) Arrange oysters evenly on salt. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of breadcrumb mixture onto each oyster. Broil 1 pan at a time in preheated oven until breadcrumb mixture is golden brown, about 4 minutes.

Garnish, and serve:

1) Thinly slice green parts of scallions; sprinkle over broiled oysters. Serve oysters hot with lemon wedges and hot sauce.