Oysters Carnival

Ingredients

• 5 cups onions, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf, minced
• 4 stalks celery, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 10 tablespoons butter
• 4 dozen oysters, strained (reserve the liquor) and chopped
• 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
• 36 oyster half shells, boiled and scrubbed
• 18 strips bacon, precooked and crispy, but not too brown, drained, with each strip cut in half
• 6 lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions

1. In an iron skillet sauté the minced onion, garlic, bay, celery and thyme in 6 tablespoons for the butter for about 15 minutes.
2. Add the chopped oysters.
3. Moisten 1 cup of the bread crumbs with about 1 cup of the oyster liquor. Add to the above. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Add 4 tablespoons butter and cook until the butter is melted.
5. Fill the oyster shells with the mixture, and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of bread crumbs over the top. Top with bacon pieces.
6. To serve, heat the oysters in a 375 degrees F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until hot.
7. Serve 6 oysters per portion, and garnish each platter with a lemon wedge.