Oysters with Pickled Cucumber

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1/4  teaspoon hot-pepper flakes
• 1/4  cucumber, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1/2 cup)
• 1  dozen shucked oysters, shells and oyster liquid reserved
•   Coarse salt
•   Chervil sprigs, for garnish

Directions

1. Bring vinegar, sugar, hot-pepper flakes, and 2 tablespoons water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove pan from heat and let cool. Stir in cucumber and chill, covered, stirring occasionally, at least 20 minutes.

2. Arrange half of cleaned and dried oyster shells on a bed of coarse salt. Place an oyster in each with some of the oyster liquid. Serve pickled cucumber on the side of spooned on top of each oyster, and garnish with chervil. Makes 2 servings.