La Boîte Ararat N.35 BBQ-Baked Oysters with Bacon Powder

From Marc Forgione, Restaurant Marc Forgione, New York City

The  Art of Blending by Lior Lev Sercarz

Makes 4 Appetizer Servings

Ingredients:

4 thin slices bacon

½ stick unsalted butter, diced

1 red bell pepper, finely diced

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

½ red onion, finely diced

2 tablespoons La Boîte Ararat N.35, plus more for garnish

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups whole milk

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

2 tablespoons chopped chives

¼ cup pepper jack cheese

1 dozen oysters, on the half shell

¼ cup prepared barbecue sauce

Cilantro leaves and lime wedges for garnish

Method:

-Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Add the bacon and bake until crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain,, then finely chop the bacon and set aside on paper towels. Keep warm.

-In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the bell pepper, jalapeño and onion and cook over medium heat until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.  Stir in the La Boîte Ararat N.35 and flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.  Slowly whisk in the milk, bring to a simmer and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until you can’t taste the flour and the sauce is thickened, about 8 minutes.

-Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Fold in the parsley and chives, then the cheese.  Let the béchamel cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.(The béchamel can be made up to a day ahead and refrigerated. Let it warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before using.)

-Preheat the broiler. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the oysters on the rack.  Spoon about 1 tablespoon of béchamel over each oyster and brush each with 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce.  Broil the oysters until the sauce is bubbling, about 4 to 5 minutes.

-Sprinkle each oyster with bacon powder and a small pinch of La Boîte Ararat N.35. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges.