Baked Oysters Italian-Style with Ciabatta Crouton

• 1/2 cup whole garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup soft-cooked white beans
• 2 teaspoons Sherry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 pound finely diced pancetta, cooked until crispy, then drained, fat reserved
• Salt
• Pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• 8 (1/4-inch) slices ciabatta or other Italian-style bread
• 1 pint shucked oysters (approximately 24)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
• 1/4 cup good quality olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped mixed herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage
• 1/4 cup grated grana padano or Parmigiano Reggiano
• Salt and pepper

1. For the croutons: In a small saucepan, over low heat, gently cook garlic in oil and wine until tender and golden.
2. Remove garlic cloves and place in a food processor.
3. To the juices in the pan, add enough olive oil to give you 1/4 cup of liquid.
4. Add white beans, sherry vinegar, and lemon juice to the food processor and puree.
5. With the motor running, add in garlic/olive oil mixture.
6. Remove from processor and stir in crispy pancetta, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
7. Spread mixture on bread slices and broil or toast in a hot oven until heated and slightly bubbly.
8. For the oysters: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
9. Put oysters into a bowl and check for bits of shell.
10. Butter the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch pie pan and place oysters in pan.
11. Mix the bread crumbs with all remaining ingredients and distribute evenly over the oysters, patting a little.
12. Place pan in the hot oven and bake for about six to eight minutes or until crumbs are brown and bubbling.
13. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
14. To serve: Mound a serving of oysters attractively on each plate and flank with two croutons.
15. This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant.
16. The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

garlic, olive oil, white wine, beans, sherry vinegar, lemon juice, pancetta, salt, pepper, red pepper, bread, oysters, butter, bread crumbs, italian parsley, olive oil, garlic, mixed herbs, padano, salt

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/baked-oysters-italian-style-with-ciabatta-crouton-recipe.html (may not work)