Grilled Oysters with Garlic Butter

Ingredients

• 24 oysters in the shell
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp hot sauce
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 lemons, cut into wedges

Before you cook

• Scrub the oysters under cold running water and discard any with cracked shells.
• Mince the garlic and chop the parsley.
• Grate the Parmesan.

Steps

1. Build a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill to high.
2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
3. Stir the garlic into the butter and cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
4. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the parsley, lemon juice, hot sauce, and black pepper.
5. Lay the oysters on the grill grate with their deeper cup side down.
6. Cover the grill and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until the shells pop open a quarter inch.
7. Lift each opened oyster off with tongs, keeping the liquor in the shell, and set it on a sheet pan.
8. Pry the top shell the rest of the way off and run a knife under the oyster to free it.
9. Spoon a teaspoon of garlic butter over each oyster and sprinkle on the Parmesan.
10. Return the oysters to the grill for 2 minutes, until the butter bubbles and the cheese melts.
11. Serve straight off the grill with lemon wedges.