Can I grill oysters without shells?

[Kim Shook]

What I mean is: can I use something other than shells to hold the oysters on a grill?  I have a pint of Rappahannock oysters in the freezer.  I bought two at Thanksgiving thinking I'd be using one for Thanksgiving dressing and one for Xmas.  Jessica decided to make her challah dressing, so I've got that pint that I need to use.  Mr. Kim is weird about oysters.  He didn't eat any bivalves when we met.  He will now eat scallops and mussels.  Clams are OUT.  Oysters are always maybe - he loves oyster dressing and adored the Rockefeller at Galatorie's  in NOLA.  He still doesn't like them fried or in soup.  He was looking forward to the grilled ones at Acme in NOLA, but we were too full to have them the one night we could have.  I was thinking of trying to recreate them.  But I don't have shells.  Could I put them in a muffin tin?  Little soufflé cups?  Maybe 2 oysters in a 6 oz. soufflé cup?  Would they even survive the grill?  Could I do them in the oven???   I have questions!  Thanks!

[pastrygirl]

if you're putting toppings on them a la Rockefeller, I don't see why you couldn't use a small vessel or a larger gratin style dish and bake or broil them to heat through

[MokaPot]

I don't see any reason why you can't use something else (besides the oyster shells). Actually, the shells can be a PITA in that they can be irregularly-shaped, can tip over to one side, juices spill out, etc.

 

IMO, no problem cooking them in the oven. The souffle cups would be good for "presentation."

[CentralMA]

 

Cast iron oyster grilling pan

 

https://www.outsetinc.com/products/oyster-grill-pan

[Anna N]

4 minutes ago, CentralMA said:

 

Cast iron oyster grilling pan

 

https://www.outsetinc.com/products/oyster-grill-pan

I imagine a muffin pan would work but it might take quite a beating if used on a grill if I understand a grill to mean some sort of barbeque. 
 

Google coughs up multiple baked/broiled oysters (naked or otherwise) recipes. Naked grilled oysters don’t show up quite so often. But if I understand @Kim Shook’s question it is specifically about grilled, naked oysters. 

[heidih]

1 hour ago, pastrygirl said:

if you're putting toppings on them a la Rockefeller, I don't see why you couldn't use a small vessel or a larger gratin style dish and bake or broil them to heat through

My mind leapt to the scallop shells from the 80's - plus pretty presentation. https://www.wayfair.com/Nantucket-Seafood--Nantucket-Seafood-Natural-Shell-Novelty-Baking-Dish

[FeChef]

I would use aluminum foil, and shape it like a oyster shell. Probably fold it a few times to get 2 or 3 layers. Heat will transfer very quickly so you wont "over cook" the oysters. Thats probably the closest you will get to grilled oysters without using an actual shell.

Edited January 13, 2021 by FeChef (log)

[Kim Shook]

14 hours ago, Anna N said:

I imagine a muffin pan would work but it might take quite a beating if used on a grill if I understand a grill to mean some sort of barbeque. 
 

Google coughs up multiple baked/broiled oysters (naked or otherwise) recipes. Naked grilled oysters don’t show up quite so often. But if I understand @Kim Shook’s question it is specifically about grilled, naked oysters. 

I'm actually thinking about the New Orleans version of grilled oysters.  Butter, garlic, herbs, Romano.  I found this recipe online.  I figure I'll pare down some of the ingredients - can't believe I'll need a pound of butter and 20 cloves of garlic for a pint of oysters.  Mr. Kim has said that he can chargrill them on his smoker.  

[Anna N]

12 minutes ago, Kim Shook said:

I'm actually thinking about the New Orleans version of grilled oysters.  Butter, garlic, herbs, Romano.  I found this recipe online.  I figure I'll pare down some of the ingredients - can't believe I'll need a pound of butter and 20 cloves of garlic for a pint of oysters.  Mr. Kim has said that he can chargrill them on his smoker.  

I’m curious as to how you will contain the oysters since as I understand it you don’t have the shells?

[Kim Shook]

22 minutes ago, Anna N said:

I’m curious as to how you will contain the oysters since as I understand it you don’t have the shells?

I have some little souffle cups that I think will work.  I was thinking a muffin tin, but it might be awkward for three of us to try to eat out of one muffin tin! 😁

[MokaPot]

1 hour ago, Kim Shook said:

I'm actually thinking about the New Orleans version of grilled oysters.  Butter, garlic, herbs, Romano.  I found this recipe online.  I figure I'll pare down some of the ingredients - can't believe I'll need a pound of butter and 20 cloves of garlic for a pint of oysters....

 

That's what that loaf of French bread (in the recipe) is for.

 

[Shelby]

I've done oysters Rockefeller in the oven using a muffin tin.