California Central Coast Wine and Food Guide.

We at the Romantic Table love grilled seafood! But, I have to admit, I thought that it was impossible to grill an oyster --they are so delicate, wouldn't they fall through the grill? Or if skewered, slough off the skewer?

Well, just by chance, while we were at a recent Templeton Farmers' Market, we noticed that there was a lot of commotion at the Morro Bay Oyster Company booth. Owner Neal Maloney was grilling oysters for the shoppers and serving them with his "special sauce" to sample. We had to catch that and document his technique for this website.

The process is simple --grill them in the shell --why didn't I think of that!

First, get your grill up to high heat. Place the oyster in shell flat side down on the hot grill. Let it cook for about 3 minutes or until you see a little bit of liquid beginning to run out and at the edge of the shell.

Once you see the liquid begin to run, flip the oysters, curved side down on the grill. Continue to grill for another 3 minutes or so until the shell begins to open. Remove the top flat part of the shell, and continue to grill the oyster sitting in the bottom curved shell as a kind of container.

If the shell has not begun to open after 3 minutes , you can shuck the shell open the traditional method with an oyster knife.

While the oyster is finishing cooking, add a tablespoon of melted butter and garlic (and your secret ingredient!) to the oyster boat and let it cook a few minutes more.

Finally, sprinkle a little grated Parmesan cheese on the oyster and serve hot in its oyster shell boat. Neal guarantees that even if you think you don't like oysters, you are going to like these!

I agree!