Baked Oysters with Herb Butter and Fried Shallots

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 teaspoons diced shallot
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce*
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• pinch ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Blue Plate® Mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 18 fresh oysters on half shell
• Fried Shallots (recipe follows)

Fried Shallots

• vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallot (about 1 large shallot)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, stir together butter, diced shallot, tarragon, parsley, hot sauce, salt, and pepper until well combined. Transfer to a sheet of plastic wrap, and roll into a 5-inch log. Refrigerate until firm to cut, about 15 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise and horseradish. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Preheat oven to 400°.
4. Unwrap herb butter; cut log into 18 slices (about ¼ inch thick).
5. In a 13×9-inch baking dish or on a large rimmed baking sheet, place oysters on half shell.
6. Bake for 5 minutes. Top each oyster with 1 slice herb butter, and bake until oyster edges curl, about 5 minutes more. Top oysters with horseradish aïoli and Fried Shallots. Serve immediately.
*We used TABASCO® hot sauce.

Fry Shallots

1. In a small saucepan, pour oil to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350°.
2. In a shallow dish, place flour. Add shallot, tossing to coat.
3. Fry shallot until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let drain on paper towels.