Buttermilk Fried Oysters

Ingredients

• 36 Shucked Vital Choice Pacific Oysters
• Peanut oil (for frying)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Dash hot sauce, such as Tabasco (optional)
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F.
2. Whisk together the buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika and hot sauce in a casserole dish.
3. Combine flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper together in a separate casserole dish.
4. Pat shucked oysters dry.
5. Add oysters to the buttermilk and let soak.
6. Remove oysters from buttermilk, let the excess drip off and dredge through the cornmeal mixture, tapping off the excess.
7. Fry in the hot oil in batches, until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes.
8. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
9. Serve hot with squeezed lemon and a remoulade sauce.