Crisp-Fried Oysters with Red Chile Vinegar-Black Pepper Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

• 28 shucked oysters, patted dry
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 cups yellow cornmeal
• Vegetable or peanut oil
• Red Chile Vinegar-Black Pepper Dipping Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

Season oysters with salt and pepper on both sides. Place cornmeal in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Dredge each oyster into the cornmeal and tap off any excess.

Heat 1 inch of oil in a large cast iron skillet until smoking. Fry oysters in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 1 minutes on each side.

Serve with the Red Chile Vinegar-Black Pepper Dipping Sauce on the side.

Red Chile Vinegar-Black Pepper Dipping Sauce:

• 2 cups white wine vinegar
• 2 ancho chile peppers, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
• Salt

Bring the vinegar to a boil in medium non-reactive saucepan. Add the chilies, turn off the heat and let steep for 1 hour. Strain into a clean saucepan and bring to a simmer.

Remove from the heat and whisk in the honey and pepper and season with salt, to taste. Serve at room temperature.