Raw, smoked, and fried oysters on a square plate - Aleksandr_vorobev/Getty Images Oysters are the hallmark of a perfect seafood meal. They're delicious when served on the half-shell on a warm ...

Here's how to do it with just two ingredients: Open the oysters as you would for oysters on the half shell, discarding the top shells, Place one-tablespoon or so of chilled butter on each oyster.

If you don’t wash oysters before shucking, it’s easy for any or all of these to contaminate the oyster and brine inside the shell.