Guest Author - Vanette (Vannie) Ryanes

If you like fried oysters you will love these Cajun oven-fried oysters with spicy cocktail sauce. Makes a great appetizer.

1/2 cup ketchup
1 tblspn prepared horseradish
1 tspn fresh lemon juice
1/2 tspn Worcestershire sauce

32 medium oysters, drained well
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tspn paprika
1/2 tspn salt
1/4 tspn ground red pepper
1/4 tspn black pepper
2 tblspns vegetable oil
Lemon wedges (optional)

____________________

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

1. Combine Ketchup and next 3 ingredients; set aside.

2. Combine cornmeal and next 4 ingredients in a bowl; stir well. Transfer to plate.

3.Add oysters in batches of 8; toss to coat completely.

4.Coat a jelly-roll pan evenly with oil; place in oven for 3 minutes or until very hot.

5.Arrange oysters on pan in a single layer. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes; turn and bake an additional 8 minutes or until golden.

6.Remove oysters from pan. Serve with cocktail sauce.

Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.

Servings: 1 or 2 per person if served as an appetizer
OR 6 to 8 oysters per person with 1 to 2 tablespoons sauce.


Adapted from Weight Watchers Annual Recipes for Success 2002