To Scallop Oysters

Ingredients

• small plump oysters
• butter
• fine bread-crumbs
• oyster-liquor
• pinch white pepper or cayenne
• pinch nutmeg
• pounded mace
• minced mushrooms
• sweet herbs, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Select small plump oysters and open them carefully.
2. Give them a scald in their own liquor.
3. Wash them in the liquor free from grit, and beard them neatly.
4. Butter the scallop shells and shake fine bread-crumbs over them.
5. Fill the shells with alternate layers of oysters, crumbs of bread, and fresh butter cut into small bits.
6. Strain the oyster-liquor and pour it into the shells.
7. Put a thick, smooth layer of bread-crumbs on top and moisten them with clarified butter.
8. Place the shells in a Dutch oven before a clear fire, turning them often until the tops are equally and lightly browned.
9. Send them immediately to table.