Fried Oyster and Bacon Sandwich

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 12 large raw oysters, shucked
• 4 slices white bread, toasted
• 4 teaspoons mayonnaise
• 4 bacon slices
• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 tomato, sliced

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cornmeal, salt, and black pepper until everything is evenly combined.
2. Pour about 2 inches of oil into a medium-sized saucepan. Set it over medium-high heat, add a deep-fry thermometer, and warm the oil to 350 degrees F.
3. Add the oysters to the flour and cornmeal mixture and turn them until coated. Tap off the extra coating, then carefully lower half of the oysters into the hot oil. Fry until golden, 3 to 5 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed so the oil stays at 350 degrees F. Transfer the fried oysters to paper towels to drain, then cook the remaining oysters the same way.
4. Spread 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise over one side of each slice of toasted bread. Arrange the oysters on 2 slices of bread. Add 2 slices of bacon, 1/2 cup lettuce, and a couple slices of tomato to each sandwich. Sprinkle the tomatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper, then close the sandwiches with the remaining bread, mayonnaise-side down. Serve immediately.