Fried Oyster Loaf
 
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise, plus more for spreading
  • ¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon hot sauce, divided, plus more to serve
  • 1 tablespoon Creole mustard
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
  • 3½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon Creole seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 1 cup whole buttermilk
  • 24 fresh oysters, shucked and drained (about 2 [8-ounce] containers, drained well)
  • 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 8 slices Texas toast
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, mustard, horseradish, 1½ teaspoons salt, lemon juice, Creole seasoning, cayenne, and garlic. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and remaining ¼ cup hot sauce. Add oysters, and toss until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to overnight.
  3. In a shallow dish, whisk together cornmeal, bread crumbs, garlic powder, and remaining 2 teaspoons salt.
  4. In a deep heavy-bottomed skillet, pour oil to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350°.
  5. Working in small batches, remove oysters from buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off. Dredge in cornmeal mixture, gently pressing to adhere and carefully shaking off excess.
  6. Carefully place oysters in hot oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oil using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels.
  7. Preheat oven to broil.
  8. Spread mayonnaise on both sides of toast, and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
  9. Broil 6 inches from heat until browned, about 45 seconds. Turn toast, and broil until browned, about 45 seconds.
  10. Spread mayonnaise mixture onto one side of each slice of toast. Divide lettuce among half of toast slices. Add fried oysters, and top with remaining toast slices. Serve immediately with hot sauce.
Recipe by Louisiana Cookin' at https://louisianacookin.com/fried-oyster-loaf/