These Key Lime Garlic Oysters have a delicious flavor! Baking them (or even grilling them!) makes the shucking process so much easier!
The nice thing about baking (or even grilling) key lime garlic oysters is that it makes the shucking process so much easier. The baking allows the shells to open slightly and relaxes them, so its way easier to run a small knife under the shell, separate the oyster from the shell, and pop the top shell off. The only thing that make it slightly harder is that the shells are hotter than hell.
Now I’m not going to lie to you, the shucking process has POTENTIAL to be tedious. I can assure you that now, I can shuck an oyster without looking like a bumbling fool. If I ever get stranded on a deserted island, I’ll be okay as long as I have a screwdriver.
A screwdriver?
Yes, a screwdriver. Its my preferred implement for oyster shucking, particularly . I am always terrified when I’m using a knife to do this, and I can never bear to use a sharp one- it feels like I’m going to snap the blade in half. You know what I’m NOT going to break in half? The handle of a screwdriver. You can shove a regular screw driver into the hinge of the shell and lever that thing right up. Then you can use your knife to finish the job.
I’m starting to realize how many times I use hardware-related tools in the kitchen….
Of course, these last two posts have been all about baking oysters, but I couldn’t forget about the classic- raw, shucked oysters, served with a squeeze of lemon and a little cocktail sauce. Theres a reason this quote from Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast is one of my favorites:
“As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.”
If you liked these Key Lime Oysters, check out these other easy seafood recipes:
Key Lime Garlic Oysters
Servings: 0
Ingredients
- 1 dozen fresh oysters
- 4 T butter
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 lime zested
- 1/3 cup plain panko
- 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450F. Place the oysters on a cookie sheet, ideally on a bed of salt to help keep them level. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly before handling. Holding each oyster in a towel and keeping it level (you don't want to spill the brine inside), remove the top shell by sliding a knife around the inside of the slightly open shell, separating the oyster flesh from it. Pop the shell off, inserting the knife (or screwdriver) into the hinge of the shell, if necessary.
- In a small saute pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until it is fragrant and starting to turn golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Add the lime zest and the juice from half the zested lime. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, toss together the panko and the cheese. Divide the mixture among the shelled oysters. Top with the garlic lime butter, again evenly distributing it.
- Turn the oven's broiler to HIGH. Broil for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the tops are a golden brown. Serve.
Tried this recipe?Mention @gogogogourmet or tag #gogogogourmet!
Meredith says
These sound great, but why not use actual key limes??
Go Go Go Gourmet says
Oh I wanted to, but my grocery store was out of them at the time that I wrote the recipe!