Po' Boy Oyster Loaf with Garlic Butter

Po' Boy Oyster Loaf with Garlic Butter is made to look like a pirogue by hollowing out the insides of a long crusty loaf until it looks like a wooden canoe plying the bayou.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 48 oysters, shucked
• 1 cup Masa Harina
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 loaf Italian or French bread (about 18 inches long)
• 1/4 pound butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Lard or oil (for frying)

Instructions

1. Drain oysters well; if you like, save their liquor for another use.
2. Mix Masa Harina with seasonings in a paper bag; add oysters, and shake well to coat them on all sides.
3. Split the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. With a sharp spoon, scoop out the insides, top and bottom, laving a 1/2-inch thick shell.
4. Melt butter with the garlic and brush on the inside, top and bottom of the loaf. Toast the buttered sides under a broiler until golden brown.
5. Heat lard or oil in a wok or skillet until hot but not smoking and add the oysters a few at a time to brown quickly, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them in the bottom crust until all are cooked. Cover with top crust and present as a loaf.
7. To serve, remove top crust, spoon out the oysters, and cut slices of the crust to go with them.