Steamed Oysters with White Wine-Shallot Liqueur

Ingredients:

2/3 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup minced shallots
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped orange bell pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp sea salt
OYSTERS:
One dozen oysters on the half shell
1/2 cup dry white wine
One clove garlic, whole
One bay leaf
Generous sprinkle of sweet Hungarian paprika
2 Tbsp Old Bay Seasoning

Method
For the Liqueur: Combine first 7 ingredients in heavy pot and cook over medium-high heat until hot; reduce heat and keep warm while waiting for oysters to steam in another pot. For the Oysters: In another large pot, add about 3 cups of water, 1/2 cup white wine, 1 clove of garlic, bay leaf, sweet Hungarian paprika and Old Bay Seasoning to pot. Bring to boil. Add oysters to this boiling pot and steam for approximately 5-10 minutes. Remove oysters from pot and plate them on a warmed serving dish. Add 1/2 cup of the liquid mixture from the oyster pot into the prepared liqueur. Mix together. Spoon generously over the oysters.



Notes: Serve with crusty French bread for dipping.



Number of Servings: 4