Grilled oysters with chipotle glaze

Grilled oysters with chipotle glaze (appetizer)

Photograph by Lisa Romerein

SERVES 8
TIME About 1 hour

Ingredients
2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. lime juice
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. tequila
1 tsp. minced cilantro
1 tsp. coarse sea salt or kosher salt, divided
1/4 tsp. pepper
24 oysters on the half-shell, juices retained*
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 1/2 tsp. sauce
1 tsp. minced lime zest
At least 2 cups rock salt
Canola-oil cooking spray

Directions
1. In a bowl, whisk 2 tbsp. lime juice with the oil, tequila, cilantro, 1/2 tsp. salt, and the pepper. Add oysters and their juices, reserving bottom shells. Chill oysters 30 to 45 minutes and then drain, reserving about 1 1/2 cups marinade.

2. Meanwhile, soak shells in water 30 minutes. Drain on a kitchen towel and pat dry. Heat grill to very hot (550° to 650°).

3. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, mayonnaise, chile and sauce, lime zest, remaining 2 tsp. lime juice, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt. Set glaze aside (if the glaze stiffens, set it on the hot grill for a minute).

4. Spread rock salt over the bottom of a platter large enough to hold oysters in a single layer. Arrange oyster shells on a large baking pan and coat insides lightly with cooking spray.

5. Set half the shells on the grill (place between the bars so they won’t roll over). Heat shells 30 seconds. Spoon an oyster into each shell with 1 tbsp. marinade; close lid if using a gas grill. Cook until juices are bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle 1 tsp. glaze over each oyster and cook 30 seconds longer. Using tongs, carefully transfer oysters to platter and nestle them in the salt. Grill remaining oysters the same way. Serve immediately.

*Have your fishmonger shuck the oysters if you like; just ask that the juices be saved.

PER SERVING 146 Cal., 86% (126 Cal.) from fat; 3.3 g protein; 14 g fat (4.7 g sat.); 2.9 g carbo (0.2 g fiber); 320 mg sodium; 41 mg chol.

Serve with 2009 Penner-Ash Riesling