What goes better with cold Champagne than hot grilled oysters? Also known as barbecued oysters, they are made by putting a fresh shucked oyster on a gas grill and spooning in some melted butter and garlic--you can add parmesan if you like. It was Drago's in Metairie that made char-grilled oysters famous. Jimmy G's on Sam Houston Tollway in Houston does a great job with them too. Gilhooley's does them over a pecan wood fire-that gives the oysters a great smokey flavor.
12 fresh-shucked oysters 4 tablespoons butter Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 4 cloves garlic, minced Grated parmesan to taste
Melt the butter in a pan and add the garlic, salt and pepper. Heat a grill. Put the shucked oysters over the hot part of the fire. When the shell gets hot, the oysters will begin to sizzle. Divide the garlic butter among the oysters. Don't be alarmed if the butter causes the fire to flare up--it adds a char-grilled flavor. Sprinkle parmesan over top after the butter. Serve immediately.