Gourmet, February 2000, described this dish as “ideal winter comfort food”. We have found it ideal, indeed heavenly, in all seasons. This recipe is our first choice when we score a jar of shucked oysters. Gourmet claimed that the recipe serves 4, but the two of us never have any leftovers.
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 half-inch-thick diagonal slices French bread
2 cups mesclun (mixed baby salad greens)
1 shallot, finely chopped
3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar
1 pint shucked medium-size oysters (about 2 dozen in the shell), rinsed and picked over
Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then lightly brown bread in butter on both sides. Put toasts on plates and top with mesclun.
Add 1 tablespoon butter to skillet, then cook shallot, stirring, over moderate heat until softened and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add vinegar and cook, swirling skillet frequently, until vinegar is reduced to about 1 tablespoon. Add oysters and remaining 3 tablespoon butter and cook, swirling skillet frequently, until oysters are plumped and butter is incorporated into sauce, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Spoon oysters and sauce over mesclun.