Broadway Oyster Bar’s Oysters Bienville

PREPARATION

For the sauce
• Heat the cream, pour it over the shrimp shells and let steep for 30 minutes.

• Strain and discard the shells, keeping the cream warm.

• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Add the onion or shallot and cook until slightly tan. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic.

• Deglaze the pan with the Marsala. Add the mushrooms, shrimp, Cajun spice, paprika and sea salt and cook until the mushrooms are soft and flavors are well-developed, about 4 to 6 minutes.

• Create a blond roux by cooking the flour and remaining 2 Tbsp. of butter for about 4 or 5 minutes till it is golden.

• Add the reserved cream to the mushroom mixture and bring to a boil. Add the blond roux, mix well and cook for 1 minute.

For the oysters
• Preheat the broiler.

• Shuck the oysters, placing them on the half shell face up under the hot broiler.

• Once the oysters start to curl on the sides (about 1 minute), remove from the broiler and spoon the sauce over the oysters.

• Place the oysters back under the broiler and cook until the sauce bubbles.

• Remove from the broiler and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Place the oysters back under the broiler for a minute or two until the cheese is browned.